Synthesis of Zeolite Y from Kaolin and Its Model Fuel Desulfurization Performance: Optimized by Box-Behnken Method

In this research, zeolite Na-Y was synthesized from Kaolin without an organic template under the non-hydrothermal condition to adsorb sulfur compound. Model fuel desulfurization was optimized by employing the Box-Behnken experimental design with 2 center points, the three parameters, and one response value. The objective was to find how sorption capacity is related to alkali fusion temperature, crystallization time, and aging time. Optimal DBT adsorbent was synthesized at 550 °C, minimum crystallization time, and maximum aging time. The zeolite samples were characterized by FT-IR and XRD. The crystallinity of the samples was lower than the crystallinity of commercial zeolite Y. During zeolite preparation, there was a competition between zeolite Na-Y, Na-P, Na-X and Na-A. The equilibrium results were well fitted by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms for the best adsorbent. The largest DBT adsorption capacity, 32.67 mg DBT/g, was calculated for the optimal adsorbent. Pseudo-first order and pseudo-second-order models were evaluated to understand the kinetics of the adsorption process. The reduction of DBT obeyed the second-order model of kinetic. Ni-Y and La-Y zeolites were prepared by the liquid-phase ion-exchange method. The maximum DBT adsorption capacity has been observed for Ni–Y (∼ 72.25 mg DBT/g) and La–Y (∼ 66.59 mg DBT/g).