Sulfone removal process

Abstract

Processes for generating and removing oxidized sulfur species, and in particular sulfones, from crude oil and various fractions derived therefrom. Initially, the sulfur species present in the crude oil or fractions derived from the crude oil, is oxidized such that substantially all of the sulfur species are converted to sulfones. Thereafter, the fossil fuel containing the oxidized sulfur species are subjected to conventional hydrodesulfurization processes where substantially all of the sulfones are converted to hydrogen sulfide gas.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A process for generating sulfones from sulfur-containing compounds present in a fossil fuel and thereafter removing said sulfones from said fossil fuel, the process comprising the steps: 
 a) providing a liquid fossil fuel, said fossil fuel containing a portion of at least one organic sulfur-containing compound;    b) converting a majority of said sulfur-bearing compound to a sulfone; and    c) subjecting said fossil fuel produced in step b) to hydrodesulfurization such that a majority of the sulfones present in such fossil fuel are converted to hydrogen sulfid.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step c), said hydrodesulfurization process is conducted in a conventional hydrotreater.  
     
     
         3 . The method of claim I wherein in step b), said sulfur-containing compound is oxidized by an oxidizing agent.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said oxidizing agent comprises a hydroperoxide.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said oxidizing agent comprises a peracid.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein in step b), said conversion comprises subjecting said fossil fuel to an ultrasonic energy.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said process further comprises the steps: 
 a) removing said hydrogen sulfide produced in step c) from said liquid fossil fuel; and  
 b) converting said hydrogen sulfide removed in step d) to elemental sulfur.