ELIMINATION OF ORGANOSULFUR COMPOUNDS FROM MODEL FUELS WITH BIOLOGICAL WASTES: TACKLING THE ACID RAIN

Name: Adebayo Efunnuga

Mentor: Abel Navarro

Abstract: PN (8.8%) > OG (6.9%) with 50mg, 125mg, and 50mg, respectively. On the other hand, the adsorption of DBT in diesel followed the trend: LM (14.6%) > OG (4.2%) > PN (3.5%) with 50mg, 75mg, and 75mg, respectively. Instrumental analyses propose a polar-drive mechanism by the interaction of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups of the adsorbent and the sulfur atom of DBT. Thermal analysis also suggest that these materials have good thermal and mechanical properties. Column experiments indicate that this approach can be used in continuous-flow system for the treatment of larger volumes of fuels. This work highlights the potential use of fruit peels for the elimination of organosulfur compounds from model fuels as a low-cost and environmentally friendly purification technique."}” data-sheets-userformat=”{"2":513,"3":{"1":0},"12":0}”>The prevalence of organosulfur compounds compounds in fuels has been an important concern since the XIX century as an environmental risk due to the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and accentuation of acid rain. This project evaluates the potential of solid waste such as fruit peels as adsorbents for the removal dibenzothiophene (DBT). The adsorption on the fruit peels of orange (OG), lime (LM) and pineapple (PN) was investigated in a batch and continuous-flow systems with synthetic fuels (gasoline and diesel) as a function of type of adsorbent, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration of DBT and column experiments. DBT adsorption follows this trend in gasoline: LM (12.3%) > PN (8.8%) > OG (6.9%) with 50mg, 125mg, and 50mg, respectively. On the other hand, the adsorption of DBT in diesel followed the trend: LM (14.6%) > OG (4.2%) > PN (3.5%) with 50mg, 75mg, and 75mg, respectively. Instrumental analyses propose a polar-drive mechanism by the interaction of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups of the adsorbent and the sulfur atom of DBT. Thermal analysis also suggest that these materials have good thermal and mechanical properties. Column experiments indicate that this approach can be used in continuous-flow system for the treatment of larger volumes of fuels. This work highlights the potential use of fruit peels for the elimination of organosulfur compounds from model fuels as a low-cost and environmentally friendly purification technique.