RENSSELAER, NY -- 07/29/08 --
Applied NanoWorks, an inorganic materials
development company, announces FlexDS(TM), a new, patent-pending process
for the removal of sulfur, nitrogen and trace metals from oil and oil
distillates. In developmental testing FlexDS(TM) outperforms both existing
hydrodesulfurization (HDS) and other oxydesulfurization (ODS) processes in
converting sulfur compounds for extraction from oil feeds.
FlexDS(TM) is a 'single process' for the conversion and extraction of
sulfur, to oxidize and remove nitrogen compounds and remove trace metals.
The FlexDS(TM) process ensures no unwanted oxidation takes place, with
oxidant selectivity greater than 99.1%. The process provides the ability
to remove thiols, sulfides and disulfides, and is effective in converting
alkylated dibenzothiophenes without oxidizing benzylic hydrocarbons (i.e.
cumene, tetralin, or toluene) or internal olefins. The petroleum industry
currently employs separate processes to extract sulfur, remove nitrogen,
and reduce trace metal concentrations. The FlexDS(TM) process utilizes a
unique chemistry to achieve high conversion, high selectivity, and
straightforward separations.
"FlexDS provides significant process and economic advantages over
traditional HDS methods," said Eric Burnett, CEO, Applied NanoWorks. "In a
front-end crude oil upgrading unit or an ultra-low sulfur diesel polisher,
achieving low levels of sulfur and extracting other unwanted elements
without the use of hydrogen or ancillary processes creates an immediate
economic advantage."
The technology is based on an Applied NanoWorks patented titanium catalyst
that enables ODS chemistry that has the highest reactivity rates to date
for an ODS catalyst. The highly reactive FlexDS(TM) process efficiently
converts and extracts sulfur from 15,000 ppm to well below 10 ppm. Current
HDS processes become increasingly inefficient at extracting sulfur at
levels below 1,000 ppm, requiring very high pressures to achieve ULSD
standards. The FlexDS(TM) operates at ambient pressure and near ambient
temperature conditions, greatly reducing conditions for hazardous reactions
found with the high temperature and pressures required by current HDS
processes.
The titanium catalyst, in both homogeneous and heterogeneous versions, was
created through Applied NanoWorks' patent-pending MCP Technology(TM), a
platform to invent and develop inorganic materials required for disruptive
advancements in material and energy systems.
"In an industry facing increasingly stringent international standards for
sulfur in petroleum products, FlexDS offers a single, clean approach to
processing oil and oil distillates that can economically meet global sulfur
dioxide emission standards," said Burnett. "And with global oil reserves
rapidly growing more sour, the extraction of these sulfur compounds is
becoming increasingly cumbersome and expensive with current industry
processes. The FlexDS process offers the flexibility to handle a wide
range of crude oil quality."
Applied NanoWorks is an inorganic materials development company focused on
creating new inorganics that provide the performance and compatibilities
required to build new material and energy systems in a clean tech world.
For information you can find us at www.appliednanoworks.com or call
518.471.5780.
Media Contact
Eric Burnett
President & CEO
Applied NanoWorks, Inc.
518.471.5780 ext 402
