Ozone-assisted oxidative desulfurization of light oil fractions

A catalytic system for oxidative desulfurization has been created, which is a transition metal salt bearing an organic ligand and capable of forming an active oxidative complex in the interaction with ozone and further oxidizing sulfur compounds present in fuel followed by the adsorption of the oxidation products on silica gel. In this case, a direct contact of ozone with the fuel is avoided, making the process safer. The effect of the reaction and ozonation conditions on the desulfurization process has been studied. Total sulfur content was decreased to 180 ppm for the straight-run gasoline fraction and to 900 ppm for the diesel fraction.