Zero-sulfur future. (The Beat).Penn State University researchers have developed a new fuel desulfurization process that uses lower temperatures than current methods and does not require reactive gases. The process yields the ultraclean, zero-sulfur compounds needed for fuel cells as well as fuels that will meet the new stricter U.S. fuel sulfur standards slated to take effect in 2006. The process uses metals or metal alloys to "grab" only the sulfur, leaving behind the desirable fuel components. The metals can clean 10 times their volume of fuel before becoming saturated saturated /sat·u·rat·ed/ (sach´ah-rat?ed) 1. denoting a chemical compound that has only single bonds and no double or triple bonds between atoms. 2. unable to hold in solution any more of a given substance. with sulfur, whereupon where·up·on conj. 1. On which. 2. In close consequence of which: The instructor entered the room, whereupon we got to our feet. they are regenerated with solvents. The researchers envision the process being used in special clean fuel pumps Fuel pump A mechanical or electrical pump for drawing fuel from a storage tank and forcing it to an engine or furnace. The type of pump chosen for a given fuel depends to a great extent on the volatility of the liquid to be pumped. and in fuel cell vehicles
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