Abstract: The possibility of using activated carbon to remove sulfurcontaining species in oil was explored. The desulfurization performance of activated carbons pretreated under different conditions was evaluated by measuring the adsorption isotherms and using a model oil in a batchtype adsorption device. The sulfur content in the model oil is 440×106. The results show that the adsorption capability of thiophene on the activated carbon pretreated by oxidizing in HNO3 at 120 ℃ is superior to that of other activated carbons treated by other methods. The optimum adsorption performance can be achieved at the temperature of 20 ℃, the adsorption time of 3 h, and the adsorbent/ oil ratio of 0.09 g/g. The adsorption isotherms of thiophene on the activated carbons fit the Freundlich model and equation satisfactorily. The thiophene adsorption on the activated carbon is a spontaneous.