Deep desulfurization by adsorption of 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene, study of adsorption on different transition metal oxides and supports

In this work the adsorption of 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) on different supports (SiO₂, Al₂O₃, zeolite 4A, zeolite 13X, natural zeolite, and activated carbon), incorporating on its surface different first series transition metal oxides at different content, was studied. The results indicate that the activated carbon presents a higher adsorption capacity than the other supports studied, which it is assumed to the large number of functional groups present on its surface. The incorporation of the first series transition metal oxides on support, induces in some cases the increase of the adsorption capacities of 4,6-DMDBT and these adsorptions capacities depend on metal content. Finally, the desulfurization by adsorption represents an alternative tool for the elimination of refractory sulfur compounds.