A review of electrochemical desulfurization technologies for fossil fuels

Desulfurization is an important process for crude oil upgrading. Electrochemical desulfurization technologies have advantages over conventional hydrodesulfurization technologies in terms of low temperature and pressure operation with high product selectivity and therefore less energy consumption. In this paper the authors reviewed the research done in the past decades on electrochemical desulfurization for fossil fuels. The principles, electrochemical methods, electrochemical reactors, catalysts and electrolytes employed in the electrochemical desulfurization process were discussed; and future research work is recommended.

► Progress in electrochemical desulfurization (ECDS) for fossil fuels.
► Low temperature and low pressure operation.
► Principles, methods, reactors, catalysts and electrolytes in ECDS.
► Future research direction.