The ultra-deep desulfurization of gasoline technology was industrialized at Shandong Hengyuan Petrochemical Co. Ltd. to produce the China-V standard (Europe V) gasoline with a capacity of 400,000 t/a. The technology is developed by Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), cooperated with Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum Co. Ltd.

The Ultra-deep Desulfurization Process for Clean Gasoline Production Commercial Unit (Image by LIU Tiefeng)

Given the increasingly stringent demands of sulfur content in gasoline, there is an urgent need for ultra-deep desulfurization technology. DICP is the first to combine the processes of diene selective hydrogenation and adsorptive desulfurization. This technology can decrease sulfur content in FCC gasoline to State-V standard (Europe V) emissions of gasoline.

The fixed-bed ultra-deep adsorptive desulfurization combination technology (YD-CADS Technology) was developed from Prof. LI Can and Prof. JIANG Zongxuan’s fundamental research result in DICP. Its pilot test was successfully demonstrated at Yongping Refinery in 2014, cooperated with Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum Co. Ltd. The technology was recognized as an innovation with independent intellectual property rights.

China is facing a great challenge in resolving air pollution problems. Large-area hazy weather caused by heavy air pollution occurred frequently in recent years, due to heavy reliance on fossil resources in energy supply. The Chinese government has determined to solve the air pollution problems. Clean-fuel development and  production is in urgent need of.

The development and industrialization of the YD-CARDs technology has made great contribution to clean fuel production, thus helps air pollution prevention and control. It also provides a new technology route for upgrading small and medium size oil refinery industry widespread in China.