Desulphurization of Um Al Nar Refinery Straight-Run Kerosene and Gas Oil Using Palm Fruit Kernel Activated Charcoal: A Locally-Made Adsorbent

Abstract

Desulphurization of Um Al Nar Refinery straight-run kerosene and gas oil has been investigated using adsorption techniques. Palm fruit kernel activated charcoal (PFKAC), a locally-made adsorbent, has been used for the adsorption of sulphur compounds in batch tests over a range of initial sulphur concentrations at 25°C and adsorbent particle size ≤ 75 μm. The results revealed the potential of PFKAC as a low-cost adsorbent. PFKAC showed a higher capacity for sulphur at gas oil concentrations than in the case of kerosene. The experimental isothermal data were correlated to the Freundlich model. Values of the Freundlich exponent, n, were > 1 indicating that sulphur compounds are favourably adsorbed on PFKAC. The Langmuir model also fitted the experimental data. A correlation has been developed for fitting the experimental data and has been found to be reasonably good.