In the refining, petrochemical and fuel production industries, the presence of sulfur in hydrocarbon compounds is considered one of the main challenges.
Sulfur and its derivatives not only cause environmental pollution, but also cause equipment corrosion, fuel quality degradation and increased operating costs.
For this reason, the desulfurization process – sometimes known as sulfur removal – is recognized as one of the most important steps in modern fuel refining.
Petrolino, relying on its in-house technical knowledge, process chemistry engineers and specialized laboratory, offers comprehensive desulfurization services for a wide range of petroleum compounds.
Why is desulfurization important?
The presence of sulfur compounds such as thiophene, dibenzothiophene (DBT) or mercaptans in fuel can cause destructive effects at an industrial and environmental level:
- SO₂ and SO₃ production during combustion → main source of acid rain
- Corrosion of metal equipment in transmission lines, tanks and boilers
- Reduced combustion efficiency and filter contamination
- Increased purification costs and the need for frequent maintenance
For this reason, refineries and oil companies are now required to reduce sulfur to less than 10 ppm in light and heavy fuels.
What is desulfurization and how is it different from desulfurization?
In fact, both terms refer to the same goal — the removal of sulfur compounds from hydrocarbons — but they have small technical differences:
| Term | Translation | Scope | Main purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desulfurization | Physical or chemical removal of sulfur | Process engineering, refineries | Reduction of sulfur concentration in fuel |
| Sulfur Removal | Direct separation of sulfur compounds | Applied chemistry, quality control | Cleaning of DBT, H₂S and mercaptans |
In industry, these two terms are often synonymous and used interchangeably in technical documentation and contracts.
Petrolino desulfurization technology
Petrolino is able to reduce sulfur to levels below 10 ppm by using Hybrid Desulfurization Technology, which includes physical adsorption, catalytic oxidation, and modified hydrotreating methods.
Features of Petrolino Technology: Removal of DBT, TBT and Mercaptans up to 99% Compatible with light and heavy hydrocarbon cuts No need for high pressure or temperature (Low-Energy Process) Use of Petrolino's proprietary nanostructured catalyst Possibility of recycling sulfur from the process
Mechanism of Operation Adsorption stage: Sulfur compounds are absorbed by activated adsorbents based on modified carbon or metal oxide. Selective oxidation: Organic sulfur compounds (such as DBT) are converted to sulfones. Phase separation: The oxidized sulfur is separated from the hydrocarbon phase and can be recycled or purified.
Comparison with conventional methods
| Method | Process conditions | Cost | Yield | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) | High pressure, 300–400°C | High | 95% | High hydrogen consumption |
| Oxidative Desulfurization (ODS) | Atmospheric pressure, 50–80°C | Medium | 99% | Requires stable catalyst |
| Adsorptive Desulfurization (ADS) | Low temperature, Pressureless | Low | 85% | Fast sorbent saturation |
| Hybrid (Petrolino) | Low pressure, 50–70°C | Medium | 99% | Recyclable |
Petrolino's specialized desulfurization services
With over 15 years of experience in the field of refining and purifying petroleum compounds, Petrolino is today one of the few Iranian companies that offers desulfurization services on a customized basis, on-site or in its process units.
The goal of these services is to reduce the percentage of sulfur in light and heavy hydrocarbon cuts, improve the quality of fuels and lubricants, and increase the economic value of petrochemical products.
Scope of Petrolino desulfurization services
| Service Type | Description | Input Sulfur Concentration Range | Target Output Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel Desulfurization | Reduce sulfur from 500 ppm to less than 10 ppm | 300–500 ppm | <10 ppm |
| Light Cuts Desulfurization (Naphtha, Gasoline Base) | Refining for use in petrochemical processes | 50–300 ppm | <5 ppm |
| Heavy Cuts Desulfurization (Kernel, Heavy Gasoline) | Increase thermal stability and reduce corrosion | Up to 0.5% | <0.01% |
| Desulfurization of industrial solvents and oils | Removal of organic sulfur compounds (DBT, TBT) | up to 1% | <50 ppm |
| Regeneration of desulfurization adsorbents and catalysts | Revitalization of existing systems in refineries | — | — |
How Petrolino Services Are Implemented
Petrolino offers desulfurization services with two operational models:
1. On-Site Service (at the customer's site): Installation and commissioning of a small temporary desulfurization unit at the tank or production site Continuous monitoring by process engineers Output analysis and issuance of a quality certificate (Certificate of Sulfur Reduction) 2. In-House Processing (at Petrolino's unit): Transfer of cargo to Petrolino's central processing unit Perform desulfurization operations in dedicated reactors Filtration and re-delivery with industrial packaging
This model is suitable for companies that do not have access to treatment equipment but want to bring their fuel or oil to environmental standards.
Ingredients and technologies used
Petrolino uses a combination of modern and localized technologies in its desulfurization services that can be adjusted to the type of cut and sulfur structure:
Selective Oxidation Technology (ODS) Use of nano-oxide catalyst (V₂O₅–TiO₂) Oxidation of dibenzothiophene (DBT) to sulfones Reaction at 60–80°C without the need for high pressure Physical Adsorption Technology (ADS) Utilization of modified activated carbon adsorbents or metal zeolites Removal of H₂S and mercaptans from gas or fuel Petrolino Hybrid Desulfurization Technology Integration of the above two technologies Recycling of adsorbents and their regeneration up to 10 cycles Suitable for light refining units (Mini Refinery)
Benefits of Petrolino Desulfurization Services
| Advantage | Technical and economic explanation |
|---|---|
| High efficiency (up to 99%) | Achieving sulfur levels of less than 10 ppm without loss of fuel quality |
| Low-cost process | No need for high pressure or hydrogen |
| Safe and green | No emission of toxic and biodegradable gases |
| Can be implemented at the customer's site | Suitable for small and medium-sized companies |
| Engineering technical support | Pre- and post-process fuel analysis by Petrolino Laboratory |
| Increase the value of refined fuel sales | Achieving Euro 5 standard and export |
| Reducing equipment corrosion | Removing corrosive sulfur compounds from the process circuit |
Comparing Petrolino's performance with competitors
| Index | Petrolino | Conventional methods (traditional HDS) |
|---|---|---|
| Process temperature | 60–80°C | 350–400°C |
| Working pressure | Atmospheric | 40–60 bar |
| Energy consumption | Very low | Very high |
| Start-up cost | Low | High |
| Process time | Short (1–2 hours) | Long (6–10 hours) |
| Environmental safety | High | Requires ventilation and explosion-proof system |
| Sulfur recycling | Yes | No |
Applications of Petrolino desulfurization services in various industries
Petroleum and Refining Industries: Refining light and heavy cuts to produce Euro 5 fuel Removing sulfur from naphtha before cracking in petrochemical units Increasing the quality and octane number of gasoline products Lubricant and oil industries: Removing sulfur compounds from base oil Preventing the formation of corrosive acids in lubricants Chemical and solvents industries: Refining organic hydrocarbons for sensitive industrial uses (cleaning solvents, pharmaceuticals, paints and resins) Transportation and power plants sector: Removing sulfur from power plant diesel and diesel used by the transportation fleet Increasing the life of filters and afterburner systems (Catalyst Systems)
Petrolino's environmental approach
Petrolino always adheres to the principle of Green Chemistry in the design of processes and the selection of chemicals. As a result, the company's desulfurization process:
Does not use toxic compounds such as chlorine and nitrites Process waste is completely recyclable Emission of sulfur gases during the process is close to zero
These features have enabled Petrolino to receive the HSE-MS Level A certificate from the National Center for Industrial Safety in 1403.
Technical specifications of Petrolino desulfurization services
| Parameter | Standard Range | Technical Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type/Cut | Naphtha, Light and Heavy Gasoline, Refinery Cuts | Petrolino Service Acceptable Range |
| Inlet Sulfur Concentration | 50 ppm to 0.5% | According to customer analysis |
| Outlet Sulfur Concentration | Less than 10 ppm (light fuel), less than 50 ppm (heavy cut) | Quality Assurance with LC-MS and XRF Analysis |
| Process Temperature | 60–80°C | Low and Safe Energy |
| Process pressure | Atmospheric | High cost reduction and safety |
| DBT removal efficiency | 95–99% | GC-MS and UV-VIS analysis |
| Process time | 1–2 hours | Depending on the type of cut and volume |
| Energy consumption | 30–40% less than traditional HDS | Optimized by Petrolino engineers |
| Catalyst type | Vanadium-Titania nano-oxide | Recyclable up to 10 cycles |
| Waste | Recyclable/refined | According to the EU REACH standard |
This table helps industrial managers make purchasing and usage decisions for desulfurization services with accurate data.
Safety and maintenance tips for desulfurization services
Work Safety Use personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves, goggles and masks Avoid direct contact with catalysts and active chemicals Maintain a safe distance from hot equipment and process steam Environment and Maintenance Perform services in well-ventilated units Control temperature and pressure according to Petrolino instructions Store catalysts and active materials in closed and dry containers Collect and recycle waste according to HSE standards
Competitive Advantages of Petrolino Desulfurization Services Reduce Equipment Corrosion Risk: Removal of Corrosive Sulfur Compounds Reduce Energy Costs and Hydrogen Consumption: Low-Energy Hybrid Process On-Site Capability: No Long-Term Production Line Downtime Engineering and Laboratory Support: Precise Control of Sulfur Concentration Before and After the Process Compliance with Environmental Standards: Reduction of SOx Emissions and Waste Recycling