Method for liquid hydrocarbon desulfurization

A method of desulfurizing a liquid hydrocarbon, comprising the steps of:

• providing an initial processing unit and an end processing unit, and at least one middle processing unit therebetween, the initial processing unit having an initial reactor assembly and an initial sorption system, the end processing unit having an end reactor assembly, a separator and an end sorption system, and the at least one middle processing unit having a middle reactor assembly and a middle sorption system;
• feeding the liquid hydrocarbon having a sulfur content into the initial reactor assembly;
• feeding an aqueous feed into the initial reactor assembly;
• shear mixing the liquid hydrocarbon and the aqueous feed within the initial reactor assembly, to, in turn, react the aqueous feed with the sulfur content of the liquid hydrocarbon;
• directing the liquid hydrocarbon and the aqueous feed to the initial sorption system;
• feeding a sorbent into the initial sorption system;
• adsorbing at least some of the sulfur content that has reacted with the aqueous feed from the liquid hydrocarbon;
• directing the liquid hydrocarbon from the initial sorption system to the at least one middle reactor;
• directing the aqueous feed from the initial sorption system to the at least one middle reactor;
• feeding a sorbent into the at least one middle reactor;
• adsorbing at least some of the sulfur content that has reacted with the aqueous feed from the liquid hydrocarbon;
• directing the liquid hydrocarbon from the at least one middle sorption system to the end reactor assembly;
• directing the aqueous feed from the at least one middle sorption system to the end reactor assembly;
• shear mixing the liquid hydrocarbon and the aqueous feed within the end reactor assembly, to, in turn, react the aqueous feed with the sulfur content of the liquid hydrocarbon;
• directing the liquid hydrocarbon and the aqueous feed to the separator;
• separating the liquid hydrocarbon and the aqueous feed from each other in the separator;
• directing the liquid hydrocarbon from the separator to the end sorption system;
• feeding a sorbent into the end sorption system;
• adsorbing at least some of the sulfur content that has reacted with the aqueous feed from the liquid hydrocarbon;
• and
• removing the liquid hydrocarbon.