Recent Advances and Challenges in Developing Technological Methods Assisting Oxidative Desulfurization of Liquid Fuels: A Review

To meet the requirements of sulfur standards, the desulfurization of liquid fuels is crucial. Oxidative desulfurization (ODS) has been widely employed to desulfurize liquid fuels. Various techniques can be combined with ODS to increase its efficiency. The present study surveys recent advances in the techniques of ultrasound-assisted oxidative desulfurization, plasma oxidative desulfurization, microwave-assisted oxidative desulfurization, hydrodynamic cavitation-assisted oxidative desulfurization, photocatalytic oxidative desulfurization, electrochemical oxidative desulfurization, magnetic field-assisted oxidative desulfurization, and bio-oxidative desulfurization. The advantages, drawbacks, and prospects of each method to desulfurize liquid fuels have been reviewed. All of these methods are in the research and development phases and often are at the laboratory stage. However, ultrasound-assisted ODS has been extensively investigated and its usage in industrial plants has been reported. The industrial applications of ODS and techniques assisted with ODS require more investigation.