Sulfur in Petroleum

Abstract

This chapter describes the occurrence of organosulfur compounds in petroleum, their detrimental effects and various techniques for removal of these compounds. The sole commercial desulfurization process i.e. HDS is broadly discussed in terms of reaction conditions, different types of catalysts used, reactor design and mechanistic pathways in the process. The shortcomings of HDS and needs for developing new desulfurization techniques is also described. Various newly developed research techniques for desulfurization are also discussed with their technical backgrounds, commercial overview, advantages and shortcomings in the light of literature reports. These techniques include, Adsorptive desulfurization, Bio-desulfurization, Precipitative desulfurization, and Oxidative desulfurization with its sub types like ODS using H2O2- Polyoxometalates (POM), ODS with Ionic liquids, Photo-oxidative desulphurization and Ultrasound Assisted ODS.