Forum to outline approaches for ultra-clean fuel

Masoud Almarri, associate research scientist, Petroleum Research & Studies Centre, and chief executive officer, Energy & Environment Co., has joined the speaker panel at the 3rd Annual Global Petrochemical Technology Conference scheduled in Doha, Qatar, from Oct. 1-3. Almari specializes in clean fuels and catalysis technology including catalytic conversion and utilization of petroleum and natural gas, fuel characterization and development, fuel desulfurization and denitrogenation, ultra-clean transportation fuel, upgrading of heavy oils, carbon materials development and characterization. His current activities include consultation and management of water during water injection, process integration and optimization, and energy and utilities cost reduction. Almarri will address delegates on “Alternative approach for deep desulfurization and denitrogenation.” In an exclusive pre-event interview, he explained the scope and relevance of his topic and highlighted some of the best approaches to solve the problems of sulfur reduction in highway and non-road fuels. “Recently, many new approaches have been proposed to efficiently produce ultra-clean highway and non-road fuels with the main goal of lowering capital investment and lowering operating cost in comparison with the conventional approach. The following are among the most promising approaches: Selective adsorption for removing sulfur compounds - this takes place by selective interaction between sulfur compounds and the solid surface of adsorbent under ambient or mild condition without using hydrogen. Reactive adsorption and sulfur atom extraction - remove sulfur by using reduced metals or metal oxide to react with sulfur to form metal sulfides at elevated temperatures under moderated hydrogen pressure. Oxidation and extraction — oxidize sulfur compounds by liquid-phase oxidation reactions with or without ultrasonic radiation, followed by separation of the oxidized sulfur compounds. Biodesulfurization - attack sulfur atoms by using bacteria via microbial desulfurization.” Masoud and other speakers will highlight the latest developments in the downstream industry, discuss the trends with regard to environmental friendly petrochemical technologies, explore developments in catalyst technology, alternate feedstocks and provide insights into ways of optimizing operations. The 3-day conference will also see participation from Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), TASNEE Petrochemicals (Saudi), BASF (UK), INEOS Olefins & Polymers (UK), Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LP (USA), LyondellBasell (Germany), Chemsafe Srl (Italy), Sahara Petrochemicals Company (Saudi Arabia), Saudi International Petrochemical Company (SIPCHEM) and others. Founded in 2005, Fleming Gulf is young, dynamic and has fast become a major provider of business intelligence through industry specific conferences, webinars and skills enhancement training courses.