Efficient adsorption of thiophene from model fuel by pyrolysed rice husks: factors of influence

Rice husks pyrolysed at different temperatures in the range of 250–700°C were investigated as adsorbents for thiophene removal from a model fuel. The adsorption ability of the samples was evaluated under both static and dynamic conditions. It was found that pyrolysed rice husks without any pretreatment are a promising adsorbent for the removal of sulphur-containing molecules from the model fuel. Removal of 92% of the sulphur from the fuel was achieved. The adsorption capacity of the pyrolysed rice husks correlates with their textural and chemical characteristics which strongly depend on the pyrolysis temperature. The adsorption of thiophene is influenced by the initial sulphur concentration level, the fractional composition of the adsorbent, the temperature and the adsorbent/fuel volume ratio. The adsorption capacity of the pyrolysed rice husks is higher under static than under dynamic conditions.