Oxidative desulfurization offers route to ultralow-sulfur diesel

摘要

Heightened concerns for cleaner air are leading to more stringent regulations on sulfur content in transportation fuels. That in turn is making desulfurization in hydrocarbon processing more important. The result has placed pressure not only on refiners but also on governments and legislatures. The sulfur problem is becoming more serious in general, particularly for diesel fuels, as the regulated sulfur threshold in the next few years is already aimed at virtually sulfur-free liquid. This article describes the ODS process and a proposed reaction mechanism. It also reports on testing of a new oxidation system on a 1,000-ppm commercial diesel sample supplied by Saudi Aramco's Rabigh refinery. Sulfur in transportation fuels remains a major source of sulfur oxide (SOx), which contributes to refinery catalyst fouling, corrosion, air pollution, and acid rain. The new oxidation system was then tested on a commercial diesel sample supplied by Rabigh refinery. The hydrotreated diesel of boiling ranges 250-350 Degrees Celsius has 1,100 ppm sulfur content.