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Microbial desulfurization of motor fuel

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Abstract

Deep desulfurization of oil and its fractions is currently performed by hydration at high temperature and hydrogen pressure, which makes the process rather expensive. Searches for alternative modes for desulfurization, among which is biodesulfurization, are intensely in progress. In this review, the following subjects are discussed: microorganisms capable of desulfurizing petroleum products, mechanisms of their activity, achievements in the field of process development, and disadvantages of the method. The existing level of knowledge is insufficient for immediate implementation of an industrial biotechnological process for sulfur elimination from oil and motor fuel and it can only be regarded as a medium-term (10–15 years) prospect.

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Abbreviations

ADB:

absolutely dry biomass

BDS:

biocatalytic desulfurization

BT:

benzothiophene

DBT:

dibenzothiophene

HDS:

hydrodesulfurization process

ODS:

oxidative desulfurization

ppm:

parts per million

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Research Institute for Genetics and Selection of Industrial Microorganisms, Moscow, 117545, Russia

    V. G. Debabov

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  1. V. G. Debabov
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Correspondence to V. G. Debabov.

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Original Russian Text © V.G. Debabov, 2009, published in Biotekhnologiya, 2009, No. 6, pp. 8–15.

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Debabov, V.G. Microbial desulfurization of motor fuel. Appl Biochem Microbiol 46, 733–738 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0003683810080016

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0003683810080016

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