Superoxides: Alternative Oxidants for the Oxidative Desulfurization Process

Abstract

Superoxides, for instance, potassium superoxide, have been demonstrated as alternative oxidants for the oxidative desulfurization process. For model compounds of benzothiophene, dibenzothiophene, and a number of selected diesel oil samples, sulfur removal greater than 90% and as high as 99% was accomplished. The results for using this solid potassium superoxide are comparable to or better than the results with liquid hydrogen peroxide for the ultrasound-assisted oxidative desulfurization (UAOD) or oxidative desulfurization (ODS) process. This solid oxidant can highly reduce the weight of oxidant dose, reactor volume, storage, and transport/shipment requirements. For the first time, the feasibility of desulfurization for high sulfur containing heavy oil with sulfur content greater than 1% has been demonstrated.