This study focuses on the removal of sulfur compounds from liquid fuels specifically gasoline and diesel fuels. The paper centers on the urgency and effect of environmental regulations due to health and global warming concerns on the emerging methods of achieving ultralow sulfur fuels (ULSF).
The traditional hydrodesulphurization process is reviewed and its limitations to achieving ULSF is highlighted. The effect and challenge in achieving ULSF such as change in octane and cetane numbers and the reduced quality of the fuels were also foregrounded. Alternative methods for improved desulfurization process including Biodesulfurization and adsorption desulfurization were examined. Current works by researchers on the methods and processes of achieving ULSF were also investigated.
Desulfurization is the process or processes used to remove or reduce the sulfur content of natural gas and other refined petroleum products such as diesel and gasoline. Sulfur is a non-metallic chemical element which is yellow in color and solid at room temperature. It is abundant in nature and is usually found in elemental form and also occurs as a sulfide or sulfate mineral. Sulfur can be used for many productive processes such in the manufacture of fertilizers and insecticides and it is an essential element for all living organism.
Despite its usefulness, sulfur when exposed in a certain form to the environment can lead to environmental, material and health damage. One of the major sources of sulfur today is the petroleum industry where sulfur occurs as thiols, thiophenes, organic sulfides and disulfides. They occur in several refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel, coal, and fuel oils. They constitute as contaminants and therefore are undesirable constituents in the oil and gas industry.
In the petroleum industry sulfur is a process contaminant as it deactivates some catalyst during the refining process and causes the corrosion of pumping, pipeline, and refining equipment. Sulfur compounds left in fuels also lead to massive emissions of sulfur gases which not only have environmental impacts but health and material effects as well.
When sulfur gases are emitted, they react with water in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid and sulfates which turns to acid rain. Acid rain and sulfates cause damage to buildings, automotive painting, they acidify the soil which leads to deforestation and eventually damage to some ecosystem.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Sulfur in Fuels
- Thiols
- Sulfide
- Thiophenes
- Impact and Legislature
- Effect of Desulfurization on Octane and Cetane number
- Desulfurization Techniques
- Hydrodesulphurization
- Oxidative Desulfurization
- Biodesulfurization
- Adsorptive Desulfurization
- Conclusion
- Reference
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study aims to investigate the removal of sulfur compounds from liquid fuels, particularly gasoline and diesel fuels, with a focus on achieving ultralow sulfur fuels (ULSF) due to environmental regulations driven by health and global warming concerns. The study analyzes the limitations of the traditional hydrodesulphurization process in achieving ULSF, explores the challenges and effects of achieving ULSF, and examines alternative methods for improved desulfurization, including biodesulfurization and adsorption desulfurization.
- Environmental regulations and the need for ultralow sulfur fuels (ULSF)
- Limitations of traditional hydrodesulphurization methods
- Effects and challenges of achieving ULSF, including octane and cetane number changes
- Alternative desulfurization techniques such as biodesulfurization and adsorption desulfurization
- Current research on methods and processes for achieving ULSF
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the desulfurization process, highlighting the environmental, material, and health impacts of sulfur compounds in fuels. It discusses the various forms of sulfur found in petroleum products and their detrimental effects on refining processes and the environment.
- Sulfur in Fuels: This chapter delves deeper into the different types of sulfur compounds found in fuels, including thiols, sulfides, and thiophenes. It emphasizes the importance of removing these contaminants to minimize their negative environmental and health impacts.
- Thiols: This chapter focuses on the characteristics and properties of thiols, a specific type of sulfur compound found in fuels. It may discuss their reactivity, odor, and potential health hazards.
- Sulfide: This chapter focuses on sulfide compounds found in fuels, exploring their characteristics, properties, and their impact on fuel quality and the environment.
- Thiophenes: This chapter delves into the nature of thiophenes, a complex sulfur compound found in fuels. It may discuss their chemical structure, resistance to traditional desulfurization methods, and their potential environmental impact.
- Impact and Legislature: This chapter examines the environmental and health consequences of sulfur emissions from fuels. It explores the impact of sulfur compounds on air quality, acid rain, and human health. It also discusses the legislative frameworks and regulations aimed at reducing sulfur content in fuels.
- Effect of Desulfurization on Octane and Cetane number: This chapter investigates the effects of desulfurization on fuel properties like octane and cetane numbers. It explores how sulfur removal can influence fuel quality and performance, potentially requiring adjustments to compensate for changes in these key parameters.
- Desulfurization Techniques: This chapter provides an overview of various desulfurization techniques used to remove sulfur compounds from fuels, including traditional and alternative methods. It may discuss the advantages and limitations of each technique, focusing on their effectiveness and efficiency.
- Hydrodesulphurization: This chapter focuses on the traditional hydrodesulphurization (HDS) method, analyzing its process, advantages, and limitations. It may discuss its effectiveness in removing specific sulfur compounds and its role in achieving ULSF.
- Oxidative Desulfurization: This chapter explores oxidative desulfurization (ODS) as an alternative desulfurization method. It examines its process, advantages, and limitations, highlighting its potential for removing sulfur compounds that are resistant to traditional HDS.
- Biodesulfurization: This chapter introduces biodesulfurization as an environmentally friendly desulfurization technique. It discusses the use of microorganisms to remove sulfur compounds from fuels, highlighting its advantages and challenges.
- Adsorptive Desulfurization: This chapter focuses on adsorptive desulfurization (ADS) as a promising desulfurization method. It explores the use of adsorbent materials to remove sulfur compounds from fuels, highlighting the different types of adsorbents and their effectiveness.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Desulfurization, sulfur compounds, liquid fuels, gasoline, diesel, ultralow sulfur fuels (ULSF), environmental regulations, health, global warming, hydrodesulphurization, biodesulfurization, adsorption desulfurization, octane number, cetane number, fuel quality, environmental impact, acid rain, research, technology.
- Quote paper
- Ogheneruemu Osirim (Author), 2017, Desulfurization of Liquid Fuels. Industrial Productivity and Environmental Health in Petroleum Refining, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1419185
