A Portable, Modular Process for Sulfur Removal and Disposal in Naval Fuel Cell System

The petroleum refining industry tends to utilize large sulfur removal units, which are permanently installed and unable to meet the demands of a versatile industry. Cal Nova Tech has developed a sulfur-removal concept that utilizes portable, modularcomponents that can be quickly assembled in a variety of ways. These units are especially effective in confined areas, such as those found onboard Navy vessels. The entire unit consists of eight different reactors, some which are optional, and theprocess can be operated at ambient temperature and pressure. The main units can be operated in series (which achieves the best quality of the product) or in parallel (which allows the units to handle higher quantities).This unique concept can provide both a fast rate of conversion (minutes) and good selectivity to maintain fuel value (the hydrocarbons remain intact). With the refinement of the molecular imprinting method, it is anticipated that the resulting sulfurcontent will be measured in 50 parts per billion or less. For safety control, the waste effluence can be directly ejected into the ocean without being environmentally hazardous. The ease of installation, maintenance, and replacement of the componentsadds to the appeal of this new approach. The modular units will be able to accomplish desulfurization resulting in ultralow sulfur diesel and gasoline products. This technology could help meet the urgent, worldwide need for low sulfur-content energyresources and especially the stringent requirements for fuel cell systems. The self-regenerating units will also greatly reduce the cost, making it available to a variety of industries. Commercially, this technology can interface with refineries, or itcan stand alone; it can be utilized in transportation terminals, storage depots, moving vessels, etc.