The patent, which will remain in force for 20 years, protects the process of removing sulfur through sonic energy, oxidation and the removal of all of the oxidized sulfur through hydro-treatment.
According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), China consumed an estimated 8 million barrels per day (bbl/d) of oil in 2009.
China’s net oil imports were approximately 4 million bbl/d in 2008 and EIA forecasts that China’s oil consumption will continue to grow, with oil demand reaching 8.2 million bbl/d in 2010.
Hence, the government’s goal is to raise refining capacity to 8.8 million bbl/d by 2011.
According to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy, refinery utilization in China increased from 67% in 1998 to 89% in 2008.
Petrosonics is a privately held, US based oil refining and production technology company.
