Removal of Sulfur Compounds from Crude Oil by Adsorption onto Copper Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

  This research aims to study the efficiency of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) in adsorbing and desulfurizing crude oil. The nanoparticles were prepared using the sol-gel method and characterized using advanced analytical techniques such as XRD, FESEM, and EDX to confirm their crystalline structure, morphology, and elemental composition. XRD results of crystalline planes of reveals peaks at 31.6, 45.4, 56.4, 66.3, and 75.2 that indexed planes (110), (112), (202), (220) and (004), respectively, was used to characterize the monoclinic structure of CuO-NPs with an average size 34.6 nm calculated using Deby-Sherrer equation, FESEM analysis revealed agglomerated spherical particles at different magnifications. Particle sizes ranged from 42.43 to 87.09 nm; EDX data showed Cu (80.6%), O (13.9%), and C (5.5%). The peaks associated with Cu and O provide strong evidence that the nanocrystals are composed of only CuO-NPs. The highest sulfur removal efficiency of 36.85% was obtained at 298 K using 250 mg of CuO-NPs and a contact time of 50 min. Removal efficiency increased with decreasing temperature and increasing adsorbent dosage and contact time. These results confirm that copper nanoparticles are a promising and effective method for sulfur removal compared to conventional methods, with potential for future industrial applications.