LAUSR

The purpose of this research is to evaluate, at a molecular level, the removal of nitrogen compounds from vacuum gas oil (VGO), which is used as feedstock for fluid catalytic cracking units. Here, a VGO sample was treated with two different adsorbents: an argillaceous material specifically developed for the removal of nitrogen compounds in middle distillate cuts (kerosene and diesel) and a commercial silica adsorbent. Breakthrough curves were built on two temperature levels (80 and 150 °C), containing different rupture times (from 60 to 420 min), to determine their influence on nitrogen compound removal. All samples, produced from each condition of adsorption, were analyzed by positive and negative electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry [ESI(±)FT-ICR MS]. Besides FT-ICR MS characterization, the total nitrogen content was monitored. FT-ICR MS indicated that the removal of nitrogen compounds by the clay adsorbent was enhanced when the temperature was higher (150 ...