Liquid Hydrocarbon Desulfurization via Shear Mixing and Sorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for desulfurizing liquid hydrocarbons, such as hydro-desulfurization and oxidative desulfurization, are costly, time-consuming, and face operational challenges, limiting their effectiveness in reducing sulfur emissions efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving multiple processing units with reactor assemblies and sorption systems, using shear mixing and sorbents like activated alumina, with aqueous feeds containing organic acids and oxidizers, to adsorb and remove sulfur content from liquid hydrocarbons, allowing continuous processing and reducing sulfur levels from 1500 ppm to below 15 ppm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If hydro-desulfurization is used to reduce sulfur content, then sulfur removal effectiveness is improved, but operational cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The desulfurization process is divided into multiple sequential processing units, each containing a reactor assembly and sorption system. This segmentation allows the process to be broken down into manageable stages, improving overall efficiency and reducing time consumption while maintaining effective sulfur removal.
Solution Approach 2:
An aqueous feed containing oxidizer is introduced as an intermediary substance to convert sulfur compounds into oxidized sulfur compounds, which are then more easily adsorbed by the sorbent material. This intermediary step enables faster and more efficient sulfur removal compared to direct hydro-desulfurization.
2Loss of time
If oxidative desulfurization is used, then processing time is reduced, but reagent cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor assembly and sorption system are merged into integrated processing units, where the oxidation reaction and sulfur adsorption occur in a unified system. This integration simplifies operational procedures while maintaining the time-efficient benefits of oxidative desulfurization.
Solution Approach 2:
The sorbent material is designed to be easily regenerated and reused across multiple processing cycles. This recovery approach reduces operational complexity and reagent consumption, making the oxidative desulfurization process more economically viable.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional desulfurization methods are used, then sulfur removal is achieved, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sorbent material in the sorption system is designed to automatically adsorb oxidized sulfur compounds from the liquid hydrocarbon without requiring additional energy input or complex operational interventions. This self-service mechanism reduces operational costs while maintaining effective sulfur removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The process utilizes ambient or mildly elevated temperatures and pressures, changing the operational parameters from the high temperature and pressure requirements of hydro-desulfurization. This parameter change significantly reduces energy consumption and operational costs while achieving comparable sulfur removal effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system efficiently reduces sulfur content in liquid hydrocarbons to low levels, achieving continuous desulfurization with reduced operational costs and improved process efficiency compared to existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
react the aqueous feed with the sulfur content of the liquid hydrocarbon
Implementation Method 2
adsorbing at least some of the sulfur content that has reacted with the aqueous feed from the liquid hydrocarbon
Implementation Method 3
shear mixing the liquid hydrocarbon and the aqueous feed within the initial reactor assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid hydrocarbon desulfurization system having at least one processing unit, and preferably an initial and an end processing unit. Each processing unit having a reactor assembly and a sorption system. An aqueous system directs aqueous into the reactor assembly together with liquid hydrocarbon, wherein the two are mixed using shear mixers. An adsorbent system provides adsorbent to the sorption column to adsorb the oxidized sulfur resulting through the mixing of the liquid hydrocarbon with the aqueous. A system having multiple processing units is disclosed, as well as systems for transferring adsorbent and providing aqueous. A plurality of methods is likewise disclosed.