Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA
Date of Award
12-2013
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Chemistry
First Advisor
Dr. Jason Parsons
Second Advisor
Dr. Jose Gutierrez
Third Advisor
Dr. John R. Villareal
Abstract
The oxidation of dibenzothiophene (DBT) to dibenzothiophene-sulfone has been considered as an alternate method to remove sulfur from crude oil. This study demonstrates that the oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of DBT to DBT-sulfone occurs using rutile TiO2 as a catalyst with the aid of O2. In addition, anatase and brookite were synthesized and tested in the reaction. Particle size of the catalysts was calculated and morphology was explored using SEM. A kinetic study was performed to determine the catalytic effect and activation energy of TiO2. The oxidation reaction was carried out by refluxing TiO2 and DBT in decahydronapthalene while flowing O2 through the mixture. Oxygen ratios and catalyst ratios were investigated. The disappearance of DBT was followed with gas chromatography and the product was confirmed with RAMAN and XRD. The reaction demonstrated first order kinetics with the Arrhenius activation energy to be 47.4KJ/mol.
Granting Institution
University of Texas-Pan American
Comments
Copyright 2013 Juan H. Leal. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/oxidation-dibenzothiophene-sulfone-using-tio-sub/docview/1502845716/se-2