Optimization of a novel catalytic extractive oxidative process for desulfurization of model and real fuels using a metal-free heterogenous catalyst (B4C)

In this study, a cheap, effective and stable catalyst has been applied to the extractive oxidative desulfurization (EODS) process for the first time. FT-IR, XRD, and FE-SEM techniques were used to investigate the structural characteristics of the catalyst. The process has also been optimized using RSM technique leading to 100% dibenzothiophene (DBT) removal efficiency when reaction temperature, O/S ratio, catalyst dosage, and stirring speed were at 50 °C, 6, 0.09 g, and 2500 rpm, respectively. EODS process of this study has been 16 times faster and also less energy demanding than a reported aerobic oxidative desulfurization using the same catalyst.