Patent EA-004903-B1 (EA)
Title: Process for desulfurization of petroleum distillates
Inventor: WISMANN WILLIAM
IPC: C10G53/08
Filed: 2000-12-13
Abstract: 1. A process for removing sulfur compounds from petroleum compounds comprising: separating said petroleum compounds into a first low-sulfur fraction and a first high-sulfur fraction; reacting said first high-sulfur fraction with at least one oxidizing agent; contacting said first high-sulfur fraction with at least one activated carbon capable of adsorbing said sulfur compounds thereby forming a second low-sulfur fraction and a second high-sulfur fraction; recycling said at least one activated carbon with at least one solvent and at least one gas; and recovering said petroleum compounds having said sulfur compounds removed therefrom. 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the selection of said at least one solvent is based upon the selectivity of said solvent in removing aromatic sulfur components. 3. The process of claim 2 further comprising: contacting said second high-sulfur fractions with said at least one activated carbon; and recycling said second high-sulfur fractions repeatedly through said at least one activated carbon until said sulfur content level in said petroleum compound is less than approximately 500 ppm. 4. The process of claim 1 wherein said solvents are selected from the group consisting of toluene, benzene, chlorinated hydrocarbons, hexane, and cyclopentane. 5. The process of claim 1 wherein said gas is nitrogen. 6. The process of claim 1 further comprising maintaining said process at a temperature of at least 20 degree C. 7. The process of claim 1 further comprising maintaining said process at a temperature within the range of approximately 20 degree C to 150 degree C. 8. The process of claim 1 further comprising maintaining said process at a pressure within the range of approximately 1 to 5 atmospheres. 9. The process of claim 1 wherein said petroleum compound is selected from the group consisting of gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, diesel fuel, fuel oil, and crude oil. 10. The process of claim 1 wherein said oxidizing agents are selected from the group consisting of air, oxygen, and hydrogen peroxide. 11. The process of claim 1 wherein said activated carbons are arranged in a configuration selected from the group consisting of moving-beds, fixed-beds, cyclic fixed-beds, and stirred tanks. 12. The process of claim 1 wherein said activated carbons have a surface area of at least 500 m<2>/g. 13. The process of claim 1 wherein said activated carbons have a surface area of approximately between 500 to 2000 m<2>/g. 14. The process of claim 1 wherein said activated carbons have a pore size ranging between 10 to 100 Angstroms. 15. A process for removing sulfur compounds from petroleum compounds comprising: separating said petroleum compounds into a first low-sulfur fraction and a first high-sulfur fraction; reacting said first high-sulfur fraction with oxidizing agents; contacting said first high-sulfur fraction with activated carbons capable of adsorbing said sulfur compounds thereby forming a second low-sulfur fraction and a second high-sulfur fraction; eluting said adsorbed sulfur compounds from said activated carbons; removing said adsorbed sulfur compounds from said solvents; and applying a gas to said activated carbons to regenerate said activated carbons. 16. The process of claim 15 further comprising contacting said eluant having adsorbed sulfur compounds with said activated carbons. 17. A system for removing sulfur compounds from petroleum compounds comprising: a distiller, wherein said petroleum compounds are separated into a first low-sulfur fraction and a first high-sulfur fraction; at least one carbon loop; and at least one solvent loop. 18. The system of claim 17 wherein said at least one carbon loop further comprises at least one activated carbon capable of adsorbing sulfur compounds thereby forming a second low-sulfur fraction and a second high-sulfur fraction. 19. The system of claim 17 wherein said solvent loop further comprises at least one solvent that elutes adsorbed sulfur compounds from said activated carbons.