Environmental benefits of Agricultural Waste-Derived catalysts in diesel Desulfurization: A review

Abstract

Today, the biggest challenge faced by the refining industries globally is the production of environmentally friendly fuels with a high amount produced annually to meet the needs of markets due to the sharp regulations imposed environmentally with allowable sulfur levels in diesel fuel. This study examines the most recent developments in solid sorbent adsorption and catalytic oxidization techniques for desulfurizing diesel fuel. Reviewing the benefits, limitations, and future potential of each technique for desulfurizing liquid fuels using solid catalysts constructed using waste from agriculture. Activated carbon is one of these carbon materials; however, the traditional methods of producing activated carbon are time-consuming and costly. Activated carbon has impressive characteristics such as low concentration of ash, enormous surface area, permeability, ease of being activated, and high compressive strength, thereby rendering this an ideal substrate for the synthetic production of heterogeneous catalysts. Because they are in charge of igniting the substances that oxidize, their supported catalysts are crucial to the oxidation process. Various types of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts such as metal oxides, ionic liquids, polyoxometalates, and organic acids have been used to form oxidative desulfurization (ODS) systems. Therefore, to enhance the efficiency of catalytic ODS process some modifications must be taken into account. These adjustments may involve doping the catalyst’s surfaces with metal oxides or increasing the catalyst’s surface area when combined with sulfur compounds. In addition to reviewing the preparation conditions for carbon waste-based activated carbon catalysts, this work also carried out the desulfurization procedures to remove substances containing sulfur. Overall, the comprehensive review of carbon wastes into activated carbon catalysts with conventional and microwave heating shows promises in addressing two pressing environmental issues: agriculture waste management and reducing the ODS cost through the production of a sustainable fuel-efficient catalyst. This review explores the environmental feasibility of agro-waste as a waste-to-energy (solid carbon) technology. The use of agro-waste as a source to produce activated carbon catalysts mitigates the environmental impact associated with traditional waste disposal avenues, such as incineration and landfilling.