In this study, the effect of competing molecules was studied in the adsorptive desulfurization of a sulfurous organic solution (SOS) sample by the NaY zeolite ion exchanged with nickel (Ni-NaY) as an adsorbent. The prepared Ni-NaY adsorbent was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques. The SOS sample was composed of 1,2-Ethanedithiol (as a sulfur-containing compound) and n-hexane (as an inert solvent). Following the desulfurization process, the sulfur content in the SOS was reduced by 11.4% in the absence of competing molecules. Fur- thermore, ethylamine, diethylamine, and triethylamine were introduced as competing compounds. Findings indicated that these competing molecules enhanced the ability of the Ni-NaY adsorbent to remove the sulfur compound. Interestingly, the presence of these competing molecules did not impede the process of removing the sulfur compound; in fact, they enhanced the desulfurization efficiency of the Ni-NaY adsorbent. In the end, the sulfur concentration of the SOS treated with the ideal quantity of these competing substances decreased to 110 ppm, resulting in a 99% desulfurization rate.

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