Demetallization of crude oil using Oxaline functionalized easily separable paramagnetic rust products

Abstract

The removal of catalyst poisoning compounds from crude oil or heavy oil fractions improves the efficiency of oil refineries and reduces the cost of high temperature corrosion damage during combustion. In this study, the demetallization of crude oil examined using readily separable paramagnetic rust particles functionalized with acidic choline chloride/oxalic acid (Oxaline) deep eutectic solvents (DESs). The functionalized particles were used as absorbent/adsorbents for organic and inorganic metal ions existing in crude oil specifically Ni, V, Mg, Ca, and Na. The functionalized particle samples are characterized using scanning electron microscopy /electron dispersive x-ray (SEM/EDX), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The optimum conditions for the removal of metallic constituents in terms of rust particle identity, absorbent/adsorbent dosage, temperature, and the type of employed DESs are studied. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and flame atomic absorption (AAS) and flame atomic emission spectrometry (AES) are used for measuring elemental analysis.