(630a) Inexpensive Oxidative Desulfurization of Middle Distillate Fuels for Portable Power Applications

On-site or on-board reforming of hydrocarbon fuels is an attractive technology for producing the hydrogen required for fuel cell power supplies. The most effective fuel cell and reformer catalysts do not have sufficient sulfur tolerance to survive long term operation with jet fuel or even diesel fuel. A portable desulfurization processor would be an enabling technology. By combining inexpensive catalysts (activated carbon and formic acid), a benign oxidant (aqueous hydrogen peroxide), and efficient micro-mixing (power ultrasound), we have developed and tested an oxidative desulfurization process capable of removing up to 98% of the sulfur in jet fuel. All three components are required, and desulfurization performance suffers without any of the three components. Fuel recovery after oxidation is greater than 90%, and we have found no evidence of hydrocarbon oxidation using mass spectrometry. System pH, reaction temperature, catalyst type, and hydrogen peroxide loading are all critical variables.