Supercritical Water Cracking of Sulfones for Hydrocarbon Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing sulfur compounds after oxidative desulfurization result in yield loss and environmental impact due to disposal of sulfones and sulfoxides, and are inefficient for sterically hindered compounds, necessitating the development of new processes to recover hydrocarbons and meet stringent sulfur specifications.
Innovation Solution
The process employs supercritical water to break the carbon-sulfur bond in sulfones and sulfoxides, using a catalytic system in a deep-well reactor with reducing gases, allowing for hydrocracking and recovery of hydrocarbons, which is more economically viable and efficient than conventional methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sulfones and sulfoxides are disposed of after oxidative desulfurization, then sulfur specifications are met, but yield loss increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of water by heating it to supercritical conditions (above critical temperature and pressure), transforming it from a liquid to a supercritical fluid with unique properties that enable both desulfurization and hydrocarbon recovery, thereby eliminating yield loss while meeting sulfur specifications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water to supercritical state, where water exhibits both liquid-like density and gas-like diffusivity, enabling it to penetrate and react with sulfones/sulfoxides effectively while allowing for easy separation and recovery of hydrocarbons after the reaction
2Device complexity
If conventional disposal methods are used for sulfones and sulfoxides, then process simplicity is maintained, but environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful sulfones and sulfoxides that would normally require disposal into valuable recovered hydrocarbons through supercritical water treatment, transforming an environmental problem into an economic benefit while maintaining process feasibility
3Adaptability or versatility
If sterically hindered sulfones and sulfoxides are treated with conventional methods, then processing capability is maintained, but reaction efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs extreme parameter conditions (supercritical temperature and pressure) to enhance the reactivity and solubility properties of water, enabling it to effectively penetrate and react with sterically hindered sulfones and sulfoxides that are resistant to conventional treatment methods, thereby improving reaction efficiency while maintaining broad processing capability
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 effectively cracks the carbon-sulfur bond in sulfones and sulfoxides, enhancing oxidative desulfurization yield while minimizing coke formation and maintaining product quality, thus meeting stringent sulfur specifications and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The process employs supercritical water to break the carbon-sulfur bond in sulfones and sulfoxides, using a catalytic system in a deep-well reactor with reducing gases, allowing for hydrocracking and recovery of hydrocarbons
Implementation Method 2
A supercritical fluid has both the gaseous property of being able to penetrate anywhere, and the liquid property of being able to dissolve materials into their components
Implementation Method 3
The process employs supercritical water to break the carbon-sulfur bond in sulfones and sulfoxides, using a catalytic system in a deep-well reactor with reducing gases
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A process for employing supercritical water, optionally in the presence of a catalyst, for the cracking of sulfones sulfoxides and mixtures thereof, which have been recovered and separated after the oxidative desulfurization of a stream of crude oil or distilled fractions thereof.