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Why can tiny amounts of organosulfur compounds cause problems in crude petroleum?
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organosulfur compound
Examples of organosulfur compounds.
Organosulfur compounds are considered undesirable in crude petroleum even in small amounts because they interfere with critical refining processes and negatively impact the performance of finished products.1
Their presence causes several specific technical problems:
- Catalyst Poisoning: Sulfur compounds act as catalyst poisons, accumulating on the surface of metal catalysts used in processes like hydrogenation and dehydrogenation, which significantly reduces their effectiveness.2
- Engine and System Damage: In diesel fuel, these compounds cause engine corrosion and complicate the operation of exhaust-treatment systems. In gasoline, they reduce the effectiveness of antiknock additives and interfere with exhaust-treatment systems.1
- Environmental Impact: Sulfur compounds contribute to noxious emissions. Because many industrial fuel consumers operate in developed areas, they are subject to strict regulations regarding sulfurous emissions, necessitating costly desulfurization processes.13
- Odor: Many of these compounds, such as mercaptans, possess strong, foul odors that make them objectionable.14