Methane-Based Light Oil Desulfurization Catalyst
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hydrodesulfurization processes for light oil desulfurization are economically unfavorable and environmentally impactful due to high energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and the production of elemental sulfur, which is difficult to utilize effectively.
Innovation Solution
A catalyst structure comprising aluminum oxide, aluminosilicate, silicon oxide, silicon carbide, or titanium oxide with metals like Ni, Mo, Co, Ga, Ag, Zn, and Ce, used in a methane or natural gas environment to desulfurize light oils, producing valuable chemicals like carbon disulfide and aromatics while reducing sulfur content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional hydrodesulfurization process using H2 is employed, then sulfur content in light oils can be effectively removed, but energy consumption increases and CO2 emissions are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter from using H2 as reactant to using methane as hydrogen donor, and changes the reaction condition from high temperature (300-400°C) and high pressure (30-130 bar) to milder conditions, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining desulfurization effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts methane, which is typically burned for energy production and contributes to CO2 emissions, into a useful hydrogen donor for desulfurization reaction, transforming a harmful greenhouse gas into a beneficial reagent that donates hydrogen to remove sulfur from light oils
2Quantity of substance
If traditional hydrodesulfurization process using H2 is employed, then sulfur content in light oils can be effectively removed, but CO2 emissions increase due to methane steam reforming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts methane, which is typically burned for energy production and contributes to CO2 emissions, into a useful hydrogen donor for desulfurization reaction, transforming a harmful greenhouse gas into a beneficial reagent that donates hydrogen to remove sulfur from light oils
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and utilizes the hydrogen potential embedded in methane molecules directly for desulfurization, eliminating the need for separate methane steam reforming process that produces CO2, thereby separating the useful hydrogen function from the harmful CO2 generation
3Quantity of substance
If traditional hydrodesulfurization process is employed, then sulfur content in light oils can be effectively removed, but capital investment and operation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reaction conditions from high temperature (300-400°C) and high pressure (30-130 bar) to milder conditions using methane as hydrogen donor, which reduces the requirements for expensive high-pressure equipment and high-energy consumption facilities, thereby lowering both capital investment and operation costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes methane, which has decreasing market price due to shale gas revolution, as a hydrogen donor, turning an inexpensive abundant resource into a cost-effective reagent for desulfurization, thereby reducing operation costs compared to using expensive H2
4Quantity of substance
If traditional hydrodesulfurization process is employed, then sulfur content in light oils can be effectively removed, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes the hydrogen potential embedded in methane molecules directly for desulfurization, eliminating the need for separate methane steam reforming process that consumes large amounts of water, thereby separating the useful hydrogen function from the harmful water consumption
5Quantity of substance
If methane steam reforming process is used to produce H2, then hydrogen can be obtained for desulfurization, but the process requires high temperature and pressure resulting in high operation costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes the hydrogen potential embedded in methane molecules directly for desulfurization, eliminating the need for separate methane steam reforming process, thereby obtaining hydrogen in-situ without the energy-intensive intermediate step
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous desulfurization reaction using methane as hydrogen donor under milder conditions, eliminating the discontinuous and energy-intensive process of producing H2 through steam reforming, thereby maintaining continuous useful action at lower energy input
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 sulfur content in light oils, minimizes CO2 generation, and produces high-value chemicals, making the process more environmentally friendly and economically attractive by leveraging methane as a hydrogen donor instead of hydrogen gas.
Implementation Method 1
a catalyst structure comprising a porous support structure including an aluminum oxide (i.e., Al2O3), an aluminosilicate material (e.g. zeolite), a silicon oxide (i.e. SiO2), a silicon carbide (i.e. SiC), a titanium oxide (i.e. TiO2) and any two or more metals loaded in the porous support structure
Data Source
AI summary
Catalyst structures and corresponding methods are described for the desulfurization of sulfur-containing light oil or model compounds under a specified gas atmosphere. The sulfur-containing feedstock is effectively converted while producing valuable hydrocarbon products such as BTX and carbon disulfide, as well as utilizing methane or natural gas resources, providing an economical and environmental innovation in the petroleum industry.