Russian Team Develops Diesel Desulfurization Catalyst, Experimental Sulfur Removal Rate Exceeds 99%

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 17, the Russian Science Foundation announced that multiple Russian research institutions have jointly developed a molybdenum-based catalyst for oxidative desulfurization of diesel. Experiments show that under conditions of 70°C, atmospheric pressure, and the presence of hydrogen peroxide, this material can remove over 99% of sulfur from diesel samples after 8 hours of treatment.

The catalyst uses hydroxyapatite as a support. Researchers impregnated the support with a solution containing molybdate ions and heated it, causing the in-situ formation of phosphomolybdate and polymolybdate active clusters on its surface. Paper data indicate that the tests used straight-run diesel samples with an initial sulfur content of 11,700 ppm.

The research team stated that the catalyst showed no significant loss of activity after five cycles. Compared to hydrodesulfurization processes that typically require high temperature, high pressure, and hydrogen, the reaction temperature and pressure in this experiment are lower, but it still consumes hydrogen peroxide and requires a longer treatment period.

The findings have been published in *Separation and Purification Technology*. The research team's next step is to develop a system using atmospheric oxygen as the oxidant to reduce dependence on hydrogen peroxide. Currently, the technology remains at the laboratory validation stage, with no plans disclosed for pilot-scale units, continuous operation, or industrial application.