CATALYTIC CAUSTIC DESULFONYLATION

• US 20170260462A1
• Filed: 03/07/2017
• Published: 09/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auterra, Inc., Cenovus Energy Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Auterra, Inc., Cenovus Energy Incorporated
• Inventors: RANKIN, JONATHAN, BRIGGS, SARAH
• Granted Patent: US 10,450,516 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 2300/202 Heteroatoms content, i.e. S, N, O, P
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 45/04 characterised by the catalyst used

Abstract

A caustic desulfonylation method and system comprising a reactor vessel with a solid carbonaceous selectivity promoter provided therein, a liquid feed input of the reactor vessel configured to receive a source of caustic, a hydrocarbon feed comprising oxidized sulfur containing compounds and a gas feed input of the reactor vessel configured to receive a source of hydrogen. The caustic desulfonylation method and system further includes an output of the reactor vessel releasing the caustic and an upgraded hydrocarbon product with sulfur content less than the sulfur content of the hydrocarbon feed received by the liquid feed of the reactor vessel.

Claims

1. A caustic desulfonylation system comprising:

a reactor vessel having a solid carbonaceous selectivity promoter present therein;

a liquid feed input of the reactor vessel configured to receive a source of caustic, a hydrocarbon feed comprising oxidized sulfur containing compounds;

a gas feed input of the reactor vessel configured to receive a source of hydrogen gas; and

an output of the reactor vessel, wherein said output releases the caustic, unconsumed hydrogen gas, and an upgraded hydrocarbon product with a sulfur content less than the sulfur content of the hydrocarbon feed received by the liquid feed of the reactor vessel.

2. A method for performing a caustic desulfonylation reaction comprising the steps of:

providing a reactor vessel;

placing, within the reactor vessel, a solid selectivity promoter made of carbonaceous material;

receiving, by the reactor vessel, a hydrocarbon feed comprising a oxidized sulfur compound, a caustic and hydrogen gas;

contacting the solid selectivity promoter with the hydrocarbon feed and caustic in the presence of hydrogen gas;

producing an upgraded hydrocarbon product with a sulfur content less than the sulfur content of the hydrocarbon feed; and

regenerating the selectivity promoter with the hydrogen gas.