Desulfurization of model FCC gasoline by extraction with ionic liquid and conventional extraction solvents

To compare the desulfurization performance of conventional extraction solvents and novel ionic liquid, desulfurization experiments by extraction were conducted on sulfolane, acetonitrile, N-formyl morpholine, and [BPy]BF4 using model Fluid Catalytic Cracking gasoline (thiophene and n-octane) as feedstock. Results showed that the desulfurization rate of ionic liquid was worse than conventional extraction solvents, but its yield of sweet gasoline was higher, which could reach to 90.36%. Among the four solvents, N-formyl morpholine had the best desulfurization performance, while sulfolane was the most stable extraction agent.