Efficient destruction of basic organo-nitrogenous compounds in liquid hydrocarbon fuel using ascorbic acid/H2O2 system under ambient condition

Due to the limitations of the conventional refinery methods, development of a new method such as oxidative denitrogenation (ODN) is highly desirable. This study described a novel ODN to remove organo-nitrogenous compounds (ONCs) in liquid fuel by ascorbic acid (AscH2) and H2O2 redox system under ambient conditions. Seven ONCs including pyridine, quinoline, acridine, 7,8-benzoquinoline, indole, N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) were chosen to assess the fuel-denitrified ability of the AscH2/H2O2 system. The results showed that the basic group of ONCs (pyridine, quinoline, and acridine) can be effectively removed (removal ratio > 95 %) while the removal efficiency of water-soluble compounds (7,8-benzoquinoline, NMP, and DMF) was moderate (61–68 %) under a mild temperature (30 °C) and atmospheric pressure. Free radical quenching and electron paramagnetic resonance experiments confirmed that hydroxyl and AscH2 radicals played a major role in the degradation of ONCs. The degraded products of quinoline were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy and ion chromatography. Based on the identified intermediate products, a putative reaction pathway majorly involving three steps of N-onium formation, transfer hydrogenation, and free radical oxidative ring-opening was suggested for the quinoline degradation. The presented approach can be performed at a normal temperature and pressure and will live up to expectations in the pre-denitrogenation and selective removal of basic ONCs in fuel oils.