Towards molecular level understanding of desulfurization chemistry in heavy oils

PETR 38

Tushar V. Choudhary, tushar.v.choudhary@conocophillips.com, James L. Malandra, Jim.Malandra@conocophillips.com, John Green, Stephen Parrott, and Byron Johnson. ConocoPhillips Company, Bartlesville, OK 74004
The current understanding of the fundamentals of heavy oil desulfurization is insufficient to provide the information needed to support the efficient production of clean transportation fuels. We have developed a method that can quantitatively separate the total sulfur content in heavy oils into different molecular groups based on their structure. The sulfur molecular groups show distinctly different reactivities, which are profoundly influenced by process conditions. This molecular level structure-reactivity understanding of sulfur chemistry in heavy oils is expected to open new avenues for developing superior catalysts and improving the sulfur removal process.