Catalytic desulfurization of residual oil through partial oxidation in supercritical water

Abstract

Catalytic desulfurization of a model sulfur-containing compound benzothiophene (BT) through partial oxidation in supercritical water (SCW) was investigated in a bomb reactor at 623–723 K and 30–40 MPa over sulfided CoMo/γ-Al 2O 3. Vacuum residuum was used to confirm the desulfurization rate and efficiency, and the desulfurization mechanism of vacuum residuum was determined by the pyrolysis temperature ( T R) of the vacuum residuum (VR). For T > T R, obvious reduction of sulfides up to 67% was obtained. The thermodynamic equilibrium of in situ H 2 generation was a controlling factor of the desulfurization pathway.