Grantee Research Project Results
Sorbents for Desulfurization of Gasoline Blends
EPA Contract Number: EPD06058Title: Sorbents for Desulfurization of Gasoline Blends
Investigators: Alptekin, Gokhan
Small Business: TDA Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2006 through August 31, 2006
Project Amount: $70,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2006) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Safer Chemicals , SBIR - Pollution Prevention , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Conventionally, deep desulfurization in a refinery is accomplished by a multistep process including hydrodesulfurization (HDS) over CoMo/Al2O3 and NiMo/Al2O3 catalysts and subsequent removal of the H2S. The HDS process, however, is not suited well to produce ultraclean (essentially sulfur free) transportation fuels. At the severe reaction conditions required for deep desulfurization, the olefins and aromatics in the gasoline become saturated, decreasing the octane number and value of the fuel.
TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) proposed to develop a low-cost, high-capacity sorbent that removes the organic sulfur from gasoline blend stocks, producing a fuel the meets the new 30 ppm sulfur specification for gasoline.
In Phase I, TDA will prepare various sorbent formulations and screen them to determine their capacity to remove sulfur under representative conditions. Based on the performance results, TDA will carry out a preliminary design of the desulfurization system and estimate its size and cost. An engineering assessment to evaluate its merits also will be conducted.
To reduce the emissions of environmental pollutants, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced new regulations that require refineries to reduce sulfur levels in the transportation fuels; the allowable sulfur in gasoline is being reduced from 330 to 20 ppmw in diesel by 2006. TDA’s technology will supply U.S. refineries with a cost-effective sulfur removal technology that helps them to meet the EPA target and the even lower target that likely will be implemented in the future.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, desulfurization, gasoline, gasoline blends, hydrodesulfurization, desulfurization sorbents, refinery emissions, fuel emissions, environmental pollutants, air pollutants, sulfur removal technology, EPA,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Sustainable Industry/Business, Environmental Chemistry, Sustainable Environment, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Environmental Engineering, desulfurization, desulfurization of gasoline, automotive industry, automobile engine exhaustsProgress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase II:
Sorbents for Desulfurization of Gasoline Blends | Final ReportThe 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.