WPB: A knowledge-based Iranian company has successfully localized the production of oxidative desulfurization catalysts for the first time. This technology is an effective method for removing sulfurcompounds from various petroleum fractions, playing a significant role in reducing environmental pollution.
Hassan Navaei Alvar, CEO of the company, stated: “Ourcompany is one of the largest producers of active zinc oxide and desulfurization adsorbents in the Middle East, and to date, wehave produced and supplied over 5,000 tons of various desulfurization adsorbents to customers across multiple industries.”
He added: “Khwarazmi, has developed technical expertise in recovering base metals from spent catalysts. This achievement, along with winning the top project award at the KhwarazmiInternational Festival, has enabled us to establish a production line for nickel ingots and recover other base metals. As a result, our company has significantly met its own demand for base metals used in catalysts.”
According to Navaei Alvar, during the 2nd Iran Petrochem 2025 exhibition and its associated conference, the company unveiled its new product, “oxidative desulfurization catalysts”.
Regarding the product's characteristics, he stated: “Oxidative desulfurization is an effective method for removing sulfurcompounds from various petroleum fractions. Additionally, it can be used to regenerate sodium hydroxide (spent caustic) in Merox units, which utilize caustic solutions to reduce sulfur and mercaptan concentrations in hydrocarbon fractions. The removal of mercaptan compounds from different petroleum fractions and crude oil is possible through the DMD process, which involves multiple steps.”
Navaei Alvar continued: “This heterogeneous catalyst technology has been developed in Iran for the first time. The catalyst was produced at our factory and rigorously tested in laboratory-scale and continuous pilot-scale experiments, using feedstock from various refineries to ensure its efficiency.”
According to Navaei Alvar, the catalysts underwent extensive laboratory and pilot testing using feedstock from Shiraz and Tehran refineries, and given the large stockpile of fuel oil (mazut) in the country and the challenge of securing low-sulfurfuel for applications such as marine fuel, this innovation has strong commercialization potential in refineries, mini-refineries, and other relevant sectors.
Confirming that the catalysts are ready for industrial-scale production, Navaei Alvar stated: “The catalysts have multiple potential applications, making a significant contribution to reducing environmental pollution. In addition to producing the catalysts for the first time in the region, our company is also offering licensing, basic design, and detailed engineering services for oxidative desulfurization units as an eco-friendly and sustainable solution for reducing sulfur in various fuels.”
Quoting the Iranian Vice-presidency for Science, he noted: “Asthe catalysts have not yet been commercialized in Iran, wecannot give any specific number regarding the production capacity. Yet, we have a high production capacity with no limitations. Currently, our only domestic customer is KharkPetrochemical Company, which is a small facility.”
Finally, Navaei Alvar stated: “Negotiations are underway with Gulf countries for export, but no agreements have been finalized yet. The production of this catalyst has already created 50 new jobs.”
By WPB
Bitumen, Catalyst, environment, Pollution
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