Desulfurization of Fossil Fuels

In general, why do scientists call their job research when they are looking for something new Because they want to proceed on the basis of their previous achievements. In addition, every researcher wants to realize a practical application for results already obtained. However, this author knew one mathematician who had created an elegant and quite general theory, of which he was justifiably proud. When asked about possible applications of the theory, he answered, How can you talk about that My theory is so general that any particular use is impossible. Pure mathematics probably tolerates such an approach— maybe it is even acceptable. However, chemistry is different both scientific interest and practical necessity are the driving forces for development. 

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Coronado, E. Galan-Mascaros, J.R. Gomes-Garcia, C.J. Laukhin, V. (2000) Nature 408, 447. 

Farges, J.-R, ed. (1994) Organic Conductors. Fundamentals and Applications, Marcel Dekker, New York. Faulmann, C. Cassoux, R Yagubskii, E.B. Vetoshkina, L.V. (1993) New J. Chem. 17, 385. 

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During the early 1990s IGT collaborated with EBC to develop the BDS process. The combined results from the two companies produced a series of patents describing the process for desulfurization of fossil fuels [237-240], Compared with the patent described in the earlier paragraph [235], these later patents propose a more realistic approach to desulfurization. The basis of these patents is the fact that some of the organosulfur compounds in petroleum are not desulfurized during hydrodesulfurization (HDS), but may be susceptible to BDS. 

Finnerty, W. R., and Robinson, M., Microbial desulfurization of fossil fuels A review. Biotechnol. Bioengineer. Symp., 1986. 16 pp. 205-221. 

Olson, G. Microbial catalyst for desulfurization of fossil fuels. Patent No. US6124130. 2000, Sep. 26. 

Vazquez-Duhalt, R. Bremauntz, M. D. P. Barzana, E., and Tinoco, R., Enzymatic oxidation process for desulfurization of fossil fuels. Patent No. US6461859. 2002, Oct. 08. 

Monticello, D. J., Multistage System for Deep Desulfurization of Fossil Fuels Patent No. WO9216602. 1992, Oct. 01. 

Ortego, B. C. Squires, C. H. Childs, J. D., et al., Method of desulfurization of fossil fuel with flavoprotein. Patent No. WO9617940. 1996, June 13. 

W09617940 [45] desulfurization of fossil fuel with flavoprotein. biodesulfurization of a fossil fuel by adding an amount of a flavoprotein to the biocatalytic reaction mixture. Incubation and separation complete the process scheme. 

US5733773 [46] desulfurization of fossil fuel with flavoprotein. comprising DNA which encodes a flavoprotein and DNA of Rhodococcal origin which encodes a protein biocatalyst active for BDS. The DNA biomolecule is not a Rhodococcus genome. 

Multi-stage system for deep desulfurization of fossil fuels [30-33],... 

The discovery that the rate of reaction of the desulfurization of fossil fuels is enhanced by the addition of a flavoprotein to the biocatalyst was then claimed in the other two family patents. So, the patents are related to the use of a flavoprotein, particularly FMN reductase, in addition to the biocatalytic material for increasing the rate of desulfurization. In the World patent, ten more claims were allowed, compared to the US issued patent. The excess claims include a set of dependant claims in which the microorganism containing the recombinant DNA molecule is considered. However, in the invention a two-step process is stated, it is just the contact between the fossil fuel with an aqueous phase containing a biocatalyst and a rate-enhancing amount of a flavoprotein. There is no indication whatsoever on how much that amount could be. 

Colin, J.-M. Hazan, C. Monticello, D. J., and Johnson, S. W., Conversion of organosulfur compounds to oxyorganosulfur compounds for desulfurization of fossil fuels. Patent No. US6071738. 2000, June 06. 

Desulfurization of fossil fuels was the subject of an authoritative review by J. B. Hyne (Alberta Sulphur Research Institute). This is a topic of increasing importance as Canada relies more and more on sulfur-containing fuels such as tar sands and heavy oils. Hyne reviewed the present state of the chemistry and technology for both precombustion desulfurization of natural gas and crude oils and postcombustion tailgas clean up of coals and cokes. He clearly identified areas of possible future research such as the high temperature-high pressure chemistry pertaining to in-situ desulfurization processes. 

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