Oxidative Desulfurization via Dissolved Gaseous Oxidant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oxidative desulfurization processes face challenges in efficiently removing refractory sulfur-containing compounds from hydrocarbon fuels to achieve ultra-low sulfur levels, particularly due to the difficulty in desulfurizing aromatic molecules with alkyl substitutions, which are costly and require significant capital investments for retrofitting existing facilities.
Innovation Solution
The process involves dissolving a gaseous oxidant in the hydrocarbon feedstock before entering the reactor, allowing for liquid phase oxidative desulfurization, which converts organosulfur compounds into sulfoxides or sulfones, thereby increasing their polarity and facilitating removal through extraction or adsorption, and optionally using peroxide precursors for in-situ peroxide generation to enhance the desulfurization reaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gas phase oxidative desulfurization is used to remove refractory sulfur compounds, then sulfur removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity and capital investment increase due to large reactors and recycle compressors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using liquid phase oxidation instead of gas phase oxidation. The oxidant is dissolved in the liquid hydrocarbon feedstock, eliminating the need for large gas phase reactors and recycle compressors while maintaining effective sulfur removal through liquid-phase reaction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the oxidant from gas phase to liquid phase by dissolving it in the hydrocarbon feedstock. This parameter change fundamentally alters the reaction medium, enabling more compact equipment and reducing capital investment while maintaining productivity
2Device complexity
If liquid phase oxidation is used to dissolve gaseous oxidant in hydrocarbon feedstock, then device complexity is reduced, but the amount of oxidant that can be dissolved is limited by solubility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by dissolving the gaseous oxidant in the hydrocarbon feedstock before the oxidation reaction occurs. This pre-dissolution step ensures that the oxidant is readily available in the liquid phase during reaction, eliminating the need for complex gas-liquid contact systems while maintaining effective oxidant concentration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition by dissolving gaseous oxidant into liquid hydrocarbon feedstock. This phase change from gas to dissolved state enables the oxidant to be transported and reacted in the liquid phase, simplifying equipment requirements while controlling oxidant concentration through solubility limits
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
This approach reduces the need for large gas phase reactors and recycle compressors, enabling more efficient and cost-effective removal of sulfur compounds, including refractory ones, by maintaining the gaseous oxidant in solution within the hydrocarbon feedstock, thus minimizing capital costs and improving sulfur specification compliance.
Implementation Method 1
mixing a hydrocarbon feedstock containing organosulfur compounds and an excess of gaseous oxidant in a mixing zone under predetermined temperature and pressure conditions effective to dissolve a portion of the gaseous oxidant in the hydrocarbon feedstock
Implementation Method 2
maintaining the gaseous oxidant-enriched hydrocarbon feedstock under conditions effective to oxidize organosulfur compounds
Implementation Method 3
maintaining the gaseous oxidant-enriched hydrocarbon feedstock and peroxide precursor under conditions effective to form peroxide oxidant
Data Source
AI summary
An oxidative desulfurization process is provided in which gaseous oxidant required for oxidative desulfurization reactions is dissolved in the feedstock upstream of the oxidative desulfurization reactor. Gaseous oxidant is mixed with a generally liquid phase feedstock (and in certain embodiment peroxide precursors are also mixed) in a mixing zone under conditions effective to dissolve the gaseous oxidant in the liquid feedstock. The gaseous oxidant dissolved in the hydrocarbon feedstock provides a gaseous oxidant-enhanced feedstock which is charged to the oxidative desulfurization reaction zone thereby permitting substantially liquid phase operation.