Selective Oxidation of Refractory Sulfur Compounds

78311S EPA regulations are requiring lower sulfur levels in gasoline. However, current desulfurization technology, when pushed to meet the more stringent sulfur levels, also lowers the gasoline octane rating. Therefore, a process that could remove hard-to-treat sulfur compounds from gasoline without suffering an octane loss would be highly beneficial. This project will develop a catalytic process that would selectively oxidize hard-to-treat sulfur compounds to products that can be easily removed from the gasoline using an environmentally friendly catalyst. This will be accomplished using mild oxidative conditions without the use of hydrogen and without reducing the octane rating of the product. In Phase I, a redox catalyst that is activated by air will be tested for its ability to selectively oxidize hard-to-treat suflur compounds in gasoline. The ability to recycle the catalyst will also be evaluated. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The selective oxidation catalyst will convert hard to treat sulfurs into compounds that can be easily removed from gasoline. The process should be much less expensive than a severe hydrotreat that would otherwise be needed to achieve the lower mandated sulfur specification. The process also should be less expensive than other oxidation technologies that have been proposed because the oxidant is inexpensive air and not expensive peroxides.