COPPER REMOVAL FROM FUEL BY SOLID-SUPPORTED POLYAMINE CHELATING-AGENTS

The presence of copper in hydrocarbon fuels impairs fuel stability and jet-engine performance. We report here the results of an investigatio n on the feasibility of removing copper from hydrocarbon liquid using chelators attached to various support materials. The chelators, 1,4,8, 11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) and N-1-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)prop yl] diethylenetriamine (DETA), were attached to polystyrene, agarose, or silica. Copper extraction from JP-5 and dodecane with the immobiliz ed chelators, both cyclic (cyclam) and acyclic (DETA) ones, was perfor med and the amount of Cu(II) removed measured. AU of the immobilized c helators showed an ability to remove copper ions from jet fuel, but DE TA bound to silica exhibited the best results and was used for further Cu(II) binding studies under column flow. Results from JP-5, dodecane , and water tests are reported, and the potential of this approach for removing Cu(II) from jet fuel is discussed.