Deodorization and dearomatization of kerosene by liquid extraction method

Abstract

The odor in kerosene was removed by liquid extraction with concentrated sulphuric acid as the liquid solvent. Multistage, crosscurrent extraction process was used. The kerosene to sulphuric acid ratio and the number of liquid extraction stages required to completely remove the sulphur compounds causing the odor in kerosene were determined. Sulphur compounds determination was by the Nickel Reduction Method. The specific gravity, aromatic content, smoke point, flash point, mercaptan sulphur, initial and end boiling points and the k-factor of the kerosene were determined using standard procedures. Also the distribution of sulphur compounds in distillation fractions from raw and treated kerosene was studied.
It was found that the optimum kerosene to sulphuric acid ratio was 50:50% (v/v) based on total acid used while the number of liquid extraction stages required to completely remove the sulphur compounds causing the odor in kerosene was five. The material balance of the five-stage, crosscurrent extraction process was fully established. There were improvements in the properties of kerosene due to the removal of resinous, aromatic and asphaltic substances. It was proposed that deodorized kerosene with higher aromatic content could be produced by combining liquid extraction and distillation operations.

Keywords: kerosene, sulphuric acid, liquid extraction, deodorization, dearomatization

Global Journal of Engineering Research Vol.4 (1&2) 2005: 23-29