Korean researchers propose energy-efficient oxidative desulfurization process for ultra-low sulfur diesel

A team from the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) has developed a new three-step continuous separation process to produce ultra-low sulfur diesel using an energy-efficient oxidative desulfurization (ODS) technology. A report on their work is published in the American Chemical Society (ACS) journal Energy & Fuels. Governments worldwide are mandating lower caps on sulfur content in fuels for environmental reasons. Oxidative desulfurization represents an alternative route to diesel desulfurization that can complement hydro-desulfurization (HDS) chemistry. An ODS unit -- which operates under milder conditions (lower temperature and pressure) and requires no hydrogen -- can be integrated with a conventional HDS unit to improve the overall economics.