Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Diesel Fuel Desulfurization
EPA Contract Number: 68D00230Title: Diesel Fuel Desulfurization
Investigators: Nemser, Stuart
Small Business: Compact Membrane Systems Inc.
EPA Contact:
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 2000 through March 1, 2001
Project Amount: $70,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2000) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , SBIR - Air Pollution , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
This SBIR Phase I project attempted to develop a novel O2 delivery system to biologically desulfurize organosulfur compounds found in diesel fuel. Tier 2 amendments to the Clean Air Act have mandated that the amount of sulfur emissions from a diesel engine be capped at 15 ppm by the middle of 2006. Biodesulfurization is a technology that employs microbes to selectively oxidize organosulfur compounds in either diesel or gasoline, while consuming lower energy and having lower CO2 emissions than that obtained with the currently practiced hydrodesulfurization processes. The Compact Membrane Systems, Inc. (CMS) membrane technology dissolves O2 (or air) without forming bubbles. Bubbles tend to strip the volatile portions of fuel, and the combination of O2 and organic vapor can result in a potentially explosive combination. The progress of this program was considerably reduced by a combination of factors. They were: (1) development and public disclosure of cheaper and more effective competitive technologies; and (2) substantially reduced interest and focus on the part of CMS' research partner who would be developing the necessary biocatalysts. Working with the program managers at EPA, the program was redirected to develop a novel technology to effectively treat methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in groundwater. The 1990 Clean Air Act mandated the incorporation of oxygenates into gasoline in ozone and carbon monoxide nonattainment areas (i.e., to reduce ground-level smog). MTBE is the oxygenate of choice. Despite efforts, gasoline spills and leaks are commonplace-MTBE is the second-most frequently detected volatile organic compound in shallow groundwater. MTBE is a difficult pollutant to remove from water by conventional methods such as air stripping.Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
CMS proposed a novel technology to convert MTBE into less harmful materials. The CMS procedure does not result in addition of any new chemicals to the treatment system.Conclusions:
Preliminary results indicate the success of CMS' proposed technology, which was demonstrated to degrade MTBE at concentration levels ranging from 50-600 ppmv in water.Supplemental Keywords:
engineering, air emissions, monitoring, chemistry, groundwater, volatile organic compound, VOC., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, Sustainable Industry/Business, Chemical Engineering, air toxics, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Environmental Chemistry, Sustainable Environment, Chemistry, Technology for Sustainable Environment, mobile sources, Engineering, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Environmental Engineering, desulfurization, automotive emissions, diesel fuel biodesulfurization (BDS), diesel, diesel fuelThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.