Imidazole-methane sulfonic ionic liquids used for catalytic alkylation desulfurization and enhancement of microchannel technology

Imidazole-methane sulfonic ionic liquids (C4(MIM)-MSA) were synthesized and used for catalytic alkylation of thiophene. The determination of sulfur content in alkylated desulfurized oil shows that the ionic liquid has excellent alkylation desulfurization effect. Compared with pure acid catalyst, ILs catalytic reaction has higher selectivity. The alkylation desulfurization mechanism of ionic liquid was proved by the determination of oil component changes before and after desulfurization and the characterization of ionic liquid structure. Microchannel technology is used to enhance alkylation reaction, and the optimum reaction conditions are experimentally selected. The microchannel reactor can shorten the alkylation desulfurization reaction time significantly and only need 2 min to complete the reaction, which is much lower than the conventional stirring reaction time of 30 min. The desulfurization rate of model oil is 93.8% and FCC desulfurization rate is 96.3% (final distillation point is 160 °C).