Modification of clinoptilolite zeolite by Ni۲+ and Cu۲+ ions in efficient absorption desulfurization process

Sulfur is one of the most common impurities in crude oil. The presence of sulfur compounds reduces the quality of petroleum products and during the refining process of these compounds, they deactivate the adsorbents used in oil processing. For this reason, the desulfurization process is used. Absorptive desulfurization is one of the most effective and efficient methods of desulfurization, which is done in different ways. One of these methods is the use of zeolites, which include natural and synthetic zeolites. Natural clinoptilolite zeolite has been used in this research. To increase efficiency, clinoptilolite zeolite must be modified first. Acid modification strongly changes the surface properties. Additionally, calcination activates the zeolite. For this purpose, we first acid wash and then calcine, and in the next step it was loaded with Cu۲+ and Ni۲+ metals. The modified adsorbent was used in the absorption desulfurization process of dibenzothiophene sulfur compounds. The effect of several parameters such as pH, concentration, adsorbent amount, time and temperature was investigated by RSM experiment design software in absorptive desulfurization. The results showed that the adsorbent in question is economical and has a high absorption capacity. [۱, ۲, ۳, ۴]