Electrodesulfurization of heavy oils using a divided electrochemical cell

US7985332B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Mark A. Greaney · Upper Black Eddy, US
• Kun Wang · Bound Brook, US
• James R. Bielenberg · Easton, US
• Douglas W. Hissong · Cypress, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 21, 2008
• Grant date: Jul 26, 2011
• Expiry date: Sep 24, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C10G32/02
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The electrodesulfurization of heavy oil feedstreams is accomplished wherein a heavy oil feedstreams, along with hydrogen, is passed the cathode side of an electrochemical cell wherein the organically bound sulfur compounds in the heavy oil are reduced and the sulfur is released as hydrogen sulfide. The hydrogen sulfide can be fed directly into the anode side of the electrochemical cell to produce sulfur and hydrogen or it can be passed to an oxidation zone containing an aqueous solution of an oxidized metal salt.