Sulfur Solubilities in Toluene, o-Xylene, m-Xylene and p-Xylene at Temperatures Ranging from 303.15 K to 363.15 K

Abstract

Abstract The solubility of sulfur in toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene and p-xylene was investigated at temperatures ranging from 303.15 K to 363.15 K. This study was required for the design of the regeneration section of the novel Vitrisol® desulfurization process. It was determined that, for experimental conditions studied, o-xylene exhibited the highest sulfur solubility and toluene the lowest sulfur solubility from the investigated aromatic hydrocarbons. The sulfur solubility data reported in this study were in good agreement with sulfur solubility data in toluene, m-xylene and p-xylene published in open literature. Sulfur solubility data in o-xylene was not published in open literature. The temperature dependences of the solubility of sulfur in toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene and p-xylene were determined from solubility equilibria. The enthalpies of dissolution ΔHo of sulfur in toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene and p-xylene were determined to be 27.93 kJ/mol, 27.95 kJ/mol, 26.98 kJ/mol and 27.70 kJ/mol respectively.