Silica–alumina impregnated with cerium, nickel, and molybdenum oxides for adsorption of sulfur and nitrogen compounds from diesel

Abstract In this work, samples of commercial silica–alumina in its calcined form and impregnated with cerium, nickel, and molybdenum oxides were evaluated as adsorbent for the removal of sulfur and nitrogen compounds from a hydrotreated Brazilian diesel at 313 K. It was observed that the incorporation of metal oxides led to an increase of the adsorptive capacities per specific area. The increase in nitrogen and sulfur uptake capacity was tentatively associated to acidic properties. However, the impregnation process also brought a reduction of the adsorbent surface. As a consequence, an increase of the total adsorption capacity in a mass basis was not observed. These results suggest that the impregnation process using the proposed oxides is a possible alternative, if the diminishing of the adsorbent surface will be controlled.