Fuel and Sulfur Compositions

The compositions of transportation fuels vary widely depending on the crude oils used, the refining process, the product demand, and the product specifications. The approximate compositions of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel are given in Table 10.12. Branched and n-alkanes are the main ingredients of these fuels, typically 70-80%. The major alkane is n-hexane and the main branched alkanes are C5 and Ce compounds. The aromatics are mainly benzene, toluene, xylenes, and alkyl benzenes, totaling about 20-30%. 

7-TMBT, 2,3-DMBT, and the minor species 2,3,5-TMBT and 2,3,6-TMBT. The more detailed analyses of a diesel fuel by Ma et al. (1994) showed 61 sulfur compounds. These were, again, almost exclusively alkyl benzothiophenes and alkyl dibenzothiophenes. An example for the sulfur composition of gasoline is given in Table 10.13. 

From these analyses, the sorbent to be developed must have the highest affinities for the thiophenic compounds, medium affinities for the aromatics, and lowest possible affinities for the alkanes and branched alkanes. 

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