Ionic Liquid Desulfurization of Hydrocarbons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sulfur removal methods in petroleum refining, such as catalytic Hydrodesulfurization, are costly and inefficient, especially for reducing aromatic sulfur compounds in heavy crude oil, and alternative methods like liquid-liquid extraction with ionic liquids face challenges with air and moisture sensitivity and polymerization reactions.
Innovation Solution
The use of ionic liquids with halogen ferrate (III) as an anion, specifically those with heterocyclic cations like alkylpyridinium and dialkylimidazolium, for sulfur extraction from hydrocarbons, combined with microwave irradiation for synthesis, which reduces reaction time and increases yields, and a liquid-liquid extraction process at room temperature and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If catalytic Hydrodesulfurization is used for sulfur removal, then sulfur content can be reduced, but the process becomes costly and requires high temperature and pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters from high temperature and pressure (conventional HDS) to room temperature and atmospheric pressure by using ionic liquids as extractants, thereby simplifying the process equipment while achieving deep desulfurization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts sulfur compounds from hydrocarbons using ionic liquids through liquid-liquid extraction, separating the sulfur-containing compounds from the fuel without requiring complex catalytic systems
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional liquid-liquid extraction with ionic liquids is used, then sulfur compounds can be extracted, but air and moisture sensitivity and polymerization reactions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite ionic liquid systems combining different cations and anions (e.g., imidazolium with tetrafluoroborate or hexafluorophosphate) to achieve both high sulfur extraction efficiency and improved chemical stability against air and moisture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent selects specific ionic liquid compositions with particular functional groups and structural characteristics tailored to interact with sulfur compounds while maintaining stability in the extraction environment
3Productivity
If microwave irradiation is used for ionic liquid synthesis, then reaction time is reduced and yield increases, but energy input requirements change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs microwave irradiation which delivers energy in periodic electromagnetic cycles, enabling rapid heating and acceleration of the synthesis reaction between halogenated compounds and metal salts to produce ionic liquids efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional thermal heating methods with microwave irradiation, substituting mechanical/thermal energy transfer with electromagnetic energy absorption, thereby reducing reaction time and increasing synthesis productivity
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 achieves high efficiency in removing sulfur compounds from gasoline, diesel, and other petroleum fractions with reduced sulfur content, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods by providing a cost-effective and efficient desulfurization process.
Implementation Method 1
The ionic liquids related are insoluble in hydrocarbons but are able to dissolve aliphatic and aromatic sulfur compounds
Implementation Method 2
combined with microwave irradiation for synthesis, which reduces reaction time and increases yields
Implementation Method 3
the ionic liquids can be used for removal of sulfur compounds by a liquid-liquid extraction process at room temperature and pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an improved desulfurization process using an ionic liquid compound of general formula C+A−, where C+ represents an organic cation such as alkyl-pyridinium, di-alkyl imidazolium and tri-alkyl imidazolium; and A− is an anion of halides of iron (III), such as, for example, FeCl4−. The desulfurization process is also improved when producing the ionic liquid compound by heating the reactants using microwave energy. The ionic liquids can be used to desulfurize hydrocarbon mixtures by a liquid-liquid extraction.