Microwave-Promoted Desulfurization of Heavy and Sulfur-Containing Crude Oil

Abstract

We have probed the effect of microwave irradiation on desulfurization of crude oil and dibenzothiophene. A range of catalysts have been screened. We find that it is possible to perform hydrodesulfurization reactions using microwave heating in conjunction with iron powder as a catalyst. The effect of hydrogen pressure, reaction temperature, reaction time, and catalyst source have been studied. The effectiveness of catalyst- and hydrogen-free desulfurization has been probed briefly. Approaches included microwave-promoted cracking, high-temperature water chemistry, and the use of metal hydrides but, with the conditions screened in this study, these proved not to be effective. We believe that our results here build on work in the scientific and patent literature suggesting that microwave irradiation can be a useful tool for effecting desulfurization chemistry.