Sulfur removal from crude oil using supercritical water

Abstract

Desulfurization of crude oil using supercritical water (SCW) is one of the promising nonconventional processes for upgrading oil. SCW is an excellent solvent for high molecular weight organic compounds in crude oils. Low sulfur content of crude oil is particularly preferred. Water is one of the most commonly used supercritical fluids suitable as a substitute for organic solvents in a range of industrial processes. Supercritical fluid treatment depends on various parameters such as pressure, temperature, extraction time, solvent type, and chemical composition of the extracted material. SCW desulfurization has potential as a technique for removing sulfur from feedstocks such as heavy oil and bitumen. SCW upgrading of crude oils reduces sulfur content and decreases average molecular weight. Catalytic desulfurization of residual oil has been carried out through partial oxidation in supercritical water and thus 60% of the sulfur was removed.

Sustainable development and enhancement of cracking processes using metallic composites

“…Since the size of the organic molecules in the heavy oil fractions is large, the HDS catalyst supports have primarily mesopores as well as micropores. Typical HDS catalysts contain CoMo or NiMo sulphides supported on alumina [60].…”

Sulphur and viscosity reductions in heavy hydrocarbons by subcritical water processing

“…Cracking of CeC and CeS bonds has been referred to by other workers (Kamimura et al, 1998). Supercritical water reduces average molecular weight and sulphur content in heavy oils (Demirbas, 2016;Kishita et al, 2005;Timko et al, 2015). This process requires high temperatures and pressures, making the desulphurisation process unattractive.…”

“…In addition, the sulphur removal is strongly affected by changes of the fluid around the critical point of the solution. Supercritical desulphurisation requires a significant investment in operating, maintenance and control (Demirbas, 2016;Demirbaş, 1999). The use of a catalyst (ZnO) reduces sulphur content and decreases average molecular weight even further (Patrick et al, 2001;Timko et al, 2015).…”