Recent research has unveiled a promising method for extracting nitrogen compounds from fuel, a significant advancement in the quest for cleaner energy sources. This study, led by Sorfina Amran from the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, focuses on using protic ionic liquids (PILs) for the effective removal of pyrrole, a nitrogen-containing compound, from a model fuel, n-hexadecane.
The increasing environmental concerns surrounding nitrogen oxides and other pollutants emitted from fossil fuels have propelled the need for innovative denitrogenation techniques. Traditional methods, such as hydrodenitrogenation (HDN), are often costly and energy-intensive, requiring high temperatures and pressures. In contrast, the use of PILs offers a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative. Amran’s research highlights the advantages of PILs, which are not only easier to synthesize but also exhibit strong hydrogen bonding interactions with nitrogen compounds, enhancing their extraction efficiency.
In their experiments, the team investigated three different PILs: triethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate (TEA-TSA), triethylammonium salicylate (TEA-SA), and triethylammonium benzoate (TEA-BZ). Among these, TEA-TSA emerged as the most effective, demonstrating higher selectivity and distribution ratios for pyrrole compared to the other two. “The results indicate that PILs require less solvent for extraction, thus reducing costs,” Amran noted, emphasizing the commercial implications of this technology.
The research utilized the conductor-like screening model for real solvents (COSMO-RS) to predict phase equilibria, which was subsequently validated through experimental methods. The findings showed that all tested systems had a positive slope, suggesting a strong affinity of nitrogen compounds for the PILs. The study also employed the non-random two-liquid (NRTL) model to correlate the experimental data effectively.
This breakthrough could have significant implications for the fuel industry, particularly in refining processes where reducing nitrogen content is critical. By adopting PILs for denitrogenation, companies could lower operational costs and enhance environmental compliance, potentially leading to cleaner fuels and reduced emissions from combustion engines.
The research was published in ‘Molecules,’ and it marks a step forward in understanding the role of PILs in fuel processing. As the industry seeks more sustainable practices, the findings from Amran’s study could pave the way for broader applications of PILs in various sectors, including petrochemicals and renewable energy.
