| TOTAL and US-based Energy Biosystems Corporation have signed an agreement to expand their collaboration on diesel oil biodesulfurization. This new biocatalytic process technology under joint development makes it possible to achieve low levels of sulfur, while ensuring enhanced environmental protection.
It enables diesel oil desulfurization at ambient temperature instead of with high temperature hydrotreating, resulting in lower refinery carbon dioxide emissions and improved product quality.
As part of the expanded agreement, TOTAL has stated its intention to start building and later to operate a pilot plant in one of its European industrial facilities during 1999. The partners are currently studying the pilot plant's design parameters.
In Europe, the current maximum allowable sulfur content in diesel oil is 500 ppm (parts per million). This level is expected to decrease even further in the future. |
