Investigating the Effect of Adding Nano-Fe۲O۳ to Heavy Fuel Oil in the Process of Solvent Deasphalting: Modeling and Optimization by Response Surface Method

Burning fuel oil presents a significant problem due to the harmful release of sulfur dioxide gases, which contribute to acid rain and environmental damage. Fuel oil contains a sulfur-rich asphaltene component, but the issues associated with burning this fuel oil can be mitigated through solvent deasphalting. This method isolates a portion of the asphaltene, thereby reducing the problems related to fuel oil combustion. In this study, the introduction of Nano-Fe۲O۳ into the fuel oil improved the efficiency of the solvent deasphalting process by up to ۵۱% under optimal conditions (with a solvent-to-fuel oil ratio of ۱۰ and a ۵% weight percentage of Nano-Fe۲O۳). As a result, the sulfur content in fuel oil decreased from ۳.۵% to ۲.۷۱% by weight, reflecting a ۲۲.۵% reduction. Various analyses, including XRD, BET, FESEM, and FTIR, were used to examine the Nano-Fe۲O۳. Additionally, the Response Surface Method from Design Expert software was employed for statistical analysis and optimization. The experimental design included two numerical variables: the percentage of Nano-Fe۲O۳ (ranging from ۱ to ۵% by weight) and the solvent-to-fuel oil ratio (ranging from ۵ to ۱۰). The remaining sulfur in fuel oil and the efficiency of the asphaltene separation process were the dependent variables under investigation. Mathematical models were introduced to analyze these output variables, showing a high level of significance in predicting their behavior based on the independent variables, with predicted R۲ values of ۰.۸۲۱۸ and ۰.۹۸۴۳, respectively.

کلیدواژه ها:

Solvent Deasphalting ، Nano-Fe۲O۳ ، heavy fuel oil ، response surface method