Thiophene Hydrodesulfurization on High-Capacity Mesoporous Perovskite Oxide Catalysts

Abstract

Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) is an essential industrial process used to remove sulfur from hydrocarbons, such as crude oil, to mitigate the harmful environmental and health effects associated with sulfur emissions. The presence of sulfur compounds, particularly in transportation fuels, can poison catalysts used in refining processes and contribute to the formation of sulfur dioxide, a greenhouse gas. As stricter environmental regulations on sulfur content in fuels emerge, the need for efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable catalysts for HDS has become increasingly critical. Thiophene, a sulfur-containing compound found in petroleum, is often used as a model molecule to study HDS reactions. This study focuses on comparing the performance of perovskite oxide catalysts like LaCoO3, LaNiO3, and LaFeO3 with the widely used CoMo catalyst. The research explores the role of metal composition, catalyst structure, and reaction mechanisms in influencing the efficiency of sulfur removal. By evaluating these materials, this study aims to identify potential alternative or supplementary catalysts for HDS that can improve sulfur conversion rates, enhance catalyst stability, and meet environmental goals. The findings contribute to advancing HDS technology, with a focus on optimizing catalyst design for future applications in cleaner fuel production.