Preparation, characterization and catalytic performance of HPW/aEVM catalyst on oxidative desulfurization

Expanded vermiculite (EVM) was prepared, treated with acid (aEVM) and incorporated with H3PW12O40 (HPW) by an ordinary impregnation method. Various characterizations of the HPW/aEVM catalyst indicated that the HPW was dispersed homogeneously on the aEVM support. The catalytic activity of the HPW/aEVM catalyst was evaluated in the catalytic oxidation process of dibenzothiophene (DBT), and the optimal reaction conditions were investigated, including the loading quantity of the phosphotungstic acid, the reaction temperature and time, the O/S (H2O2/sulfur) molar ratio, and the catalyst dosage. Under the experimental conditions, the sulfur removal rate for model oil was almost 100%. After 7 recycles, the loss of catalytic activity was only 99.95 to 98.06%.