Ultrasonic Sulfur Removal

Crude oil contains sulfur, formed as organic materials decomposed into fossil fuels. Governmental regulations require the emissions from crude oil-based products to contain low sulfur levels.

Emissions

Engines that power cars, ships and similar machines emit sulfur dioxide when petroleum products burn. To reduce the amount of sulfur in petroleum byproducts, crude oil has traditionally been treated using a technique called hydrosulfurization, where hydrogen is used to reduce the amount of sulfur in the oil products.

Ultrasonic

Ultrasonic waves are an alternative technique to hydrosulfurization, in which high-frequency ultrasonic waves are combined with hydrogen peroxide to alter the chemical makeup of oil. During the process, high-frequency sound waves cause the hydrogen peroxide to give one of its two oxygen atoms to the sulfur to dilute it and form water as a byproduct.

Cost

Ultrasonic desulphurization reduces the cost of removing sulfur from crude oil because of the reduction in hydrogen used in the process compared to hydrosulfurization.

References

• Hielscher - Ultrasound Technology: Ultrasonic Alternative to Hydrosulfurization
• E&P: Ultrasound Applied to Crude Oil Desulfurization