Plasma Desulfurization of Petroleum

The possibility of achieving desulfurization of heavy fuel oils and petroleum products by electrical discharge has been discussed occasionally197-200. Among the frequently occurring sulfur compounds associated with petroleum products are the sulfides, disulfides, mercaptans and thiophenes201,202.  

A sample of kerosene containing 0.1 wt% sulfur showed little desulfurization even under reflux conditions1 ). The extent of desulfurization could apparently be extended to as much as 50% by passing the discharged liquid over alumina. 

Since hydrogen sulfide was evolved in the electrical discharge, the dissociation of both the hydrocarbon phase and the sulfur compound must have occurred. The absence of H2S when pure thiophene was used is suggestive of the need for excess H atoms for effective plasma desulfurization. 

Plasma reactions in which H2S was eliminated from compounds such as C7Hi5SH and (C7HiS)2S have been reported209  

The selectivity of these reactions is achieved only in low pressure experiments, typically at 1 torr. Using an apparatus similar to that shown in Fig. 6 the elimination of 

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