EVALUATION OF SULFUR GUARD BED MATERIALS IN PETROLEUM REFINING BY ADSORPTION

Abstract

An investigation has been carried out to evaluate the extent of adsorption of the different solid materials; acid-treated kaolinite clay (El Tih plateau- Sinai peninsula), acid-treated bentonite clay (El Fayoum district), charcoal, petroleum coke and cement-kiln dust (by-product generated in the production of Portland cement clinker). These solid materials have been characterized by applying different techniques; x-ray analysis, differential thermal analysis and thermo-gravimetric analysis, acidity and pore size distribution. X-ray analyses were carried out to investigate the crystalline structure (x-ray diffraction) and the constituents of the solid materials (x-ray fluorescence). Differential thermal analysis and thermo-gravimetric analysis were carried to trace the structural changes accompanying the thermal treatment. The acidity was measured to study the effect of acid treatment on the acidity of the produced protonated materials as well as the effect of impregnating nickel on the acidity of the produced guard bed material. Pore size distribution has been also made to exhibit the change in the porosity of the parent material along with the impregnation of nickel to prepare the guard bed catalyst.