Hello everybody,
Analysis of the main products of the sulfolane process, benzene and toluene, shows the presence of sulfur in toluene (not in benzene). We assume that the reason for this may be quality of the pyro-gasoline (residual sulfur) or the escaping of sulfolane with the products. But why only in toluene?
Best regards,
Tihomir Kovacevic
Due to higher solubility of sulfur in toluene as literature suggests: Article Solubility of elemental sulfur in pure organic solvents and ...
Also, it is possible that during the sulfolane process naturally present sulfur in crude oil is oxidized to elemental form and T fraction is enriched with sulfur as it would be during the extraction. Another guess that sulfolane compound that is used for purification of BTX mixtures during the redox reaction forms huge amounts of sulfur due to disproportion of S(+4) and S(-2) to elemental S.
- Badges
- Science topic