AM-00-25 Desulfurization by Selective Oxidation and Extraction of Sulfur-containing Compounds to Economically Achieve Ultra-low Proposed Diesel Fuel Sulfur Requirements

Description:

Petro Star Inc. has been investigating the conversion/extraction desulfurization (CED) process to remove sulfur from diesel fuel since 1996. To date we have developed a novel process to convert and extract sulfur from fuels to less than 10ppm and we are now moving toward an integrated and continuous process. CED provides an attractive alternative to the standard hydrodesulfurization (HDS) process used by large refineries use around the world. We have demonstrated the process in the laboratory with several refinery streams, focusing largely on diesel fuel. Experiments have shown sulfur removal to levels as low as 10ppmw beginning with a 4200ppmw-sulfur straight-run diesel fuel while not adversely affecting other fuel properties. The CED process is based on the use of a sulfur selective oxidant operating under mild conditions – atmospheric pressure and <100 o C – making relatively polar oxidized organo-sulfur compounds. This is followed by liquid/liquid extraction to yield a fuel low in sulfur and an extract high in sulfur. The extraction solvent is then removed from the extract for re-use and the concentrated extract is made available for further processing to remove sulfur and return some of the hydrocarbon yield.