| abstract |
A novel nano structured adsorbent composition for removal of sulphur from diesel and gasoline like fuels is disclosed. It is capable of removal of sulphur by reactive adsorption from most refractory sulfur species of diesel- and gasoline-like fuels. The process of sulphur removal is carried out under hydrogen environment. The sulphur content of the treated fuel comes down to less than 5 ppm. The adsorbent comprises of an active component having X-ray amorphous nano-sized mixed oxides of Ni, Zn, Al, Fe and Ti having local crystalline characteristics as evidenced by TEM as the active component, constituting 15-65 wt% as the active phase, 20-45 wt% NiO, 15-30 wt% ZnO, 5-15 wt% Al 2 O 3 , and 2-15 wt% clay. The adsorbent has a surface area of 50-200m 2 /g, pore volume of 0.1 to 0.6 cc/g and pore size ranging from 50-200 A°. The adsorbent desulphurises cracked gasoline with an octane loss which is in the range of 1-2 units. The invention also discloses a process for preparing the adsorbent. |