Continuous process for oxidative desulfurization of fossil fuels with ultrasound and products thereof

US 6,500,219 B1
Continuous process for oxidative desulfurization of fossil fuels with ultrasound and products thereof
Rudolf W. Gunnerman, Reno, Nev. (US)
Assigned to Sulphco, Inc., Reno, Nev. (US)
Filed on 19-Mar-2001, as Appl. No. Sulphco, Inc., Reno, Nev. (US)
Int. Cl.7C10L 1/00

US 6,500,219 B1 Continuous process for oxidative desulfurization of fossil fuels with ultrasound and products thereof Rudolf W. Gunnerman, Reno, Nev. (US) Assigned to Sulphco, Inc., Reno, Nev. (US) Filed on Mar. 19, 2001, as Appl. No. 9/812,390. Int. Cl.7C10L 1/00 U.S. Cl. 448212;904 28 Claims 1. A sulfur-depleted diesel fuel, prepared by a process comprising: (a) combining a sulfide-containing diesel fuel having a cetane index of greater than 50.0 with an aqueous fluid and a hydroperoxide and an aliphatic C15-C20 hydrocarbon to form a multiphase reaction medium; (b) continuously passing said multiphase reaction medium through an ultrasound chamber in which ultrasound is applied to said multiphase reaction medium for a time sufficient to cause oxidation of sulfides in said sulfide-containing diesel fuel to sulfones; (c) permitting said multiphase reaction medium upon emerging from said ultrasound chamber to separate spontaneously into aqueous and organic phases; and (d) isolating said organic phase from said aqueous phase, said organic phase thus isolated being said sulfur-depleted diesel fuel.