Made in a day: New catalyst removes sulfur from crude oil

IPN product helps institutions such as Mexican Oil (Pemex) to generate fuel with reduced sulfur content. The material consists of a catalyst composed of a transition metal called molybdenum, which removes sulfur in gasoline or diesel during hydrodesulfurization, which is the second stage of the distillation of petroleum, said Dr. Jose Domingo Cuesta Leal from the Center of Applied Scientific Research and Advanced Technology (CICATA).

The innovation lies in a synthesis methodology that is done in one step, by which it is possible to obtain a catalyst with better qualities than current commercial products.

Cuesta Leal explained that for the synthesis of the product a hydrothermal reaction was used, its effect on a load of gas was evaluated, after the amount of sulfur in the sample was measured and a reduction of 80 percent was obtained.

Additionaly, in comparison with a commercial material and performing under the same conditions, the one created at CICATA has better properties, although the lifetime is in function of the oil used and the type of process.

The project can be adapted to any desired conditions, either as a compacted powder or small aggregates called pellets. This is the result of six years of research, time during which Dr. Cuesta Leal made his master's and doctorate financed by the Mexican Council for Science and Technology (Conacyt).

He adds that the sulfur removal benefits the oil refining process avoiding corrosion and contamination by other catalysts, such as platinum.

Currently, the catalytic material created by Dr. Cuesta has a patent application for registry before the Mexican Institute of Intellectual Property (IMPI) and the intention is to work with and for Pemex, though there is no agreement yet.