(177d) A Novel Oxidative Desulfurization (Oxyds) Process for Diesel and Vgo

The OxyDSTM process being developed by CPC can oxidatively desulfurize petroleum oils under non-aqueous and single phase condition, using such an active oxidant that oxidation of sulfur and nitrogen occur at low temperature and short residence time without a catalyst. As a result, essentially all the valuable hydrocarbon components in the oils are preserved. No troublesome waste acid regeneration associated with most other oxidative desulfurization processes is required either. Furthermore, after oxidation step the oxidant is converted into a ?built-in? extractive solvent for removing oxidized sulfur and nitrogen compounds from the oxidized petroleum oils. The extraction step is so effective, that no complicated adsorption step (associated with all other oxidative desulfurization processes) is required for final polishing. For example, sulfur in diesel was reduced from 300 to 10 ppm through this simple but effective OxyDS process.

More significantly, this is the only known oxidative desulfurization process that can process heavy petroleum oils without difficulties, because the oxidation reactions occur in a single phase, non-aqueous environment without catalyst. The OxyDS treatment can significantly increase the quality of the FCC feed to not only substantially improve the conversion and product distribution, but also reduce the product sulfur contents. Consequently, no post desulfurization treatment is required for FCC gasoline and light olefins.

CPC is currently installing a continuous pilot plant at its Research & Manufacturing Technology Center in Chia-Yi, Taiwan, for commercializing of the OxyDS process. Start-up of the pilot plant is expected forward the end of this year.