Our Breakthrough Technology
Using proprietary oxygen chemistry, Ultrex® selectively targets the molecules that limit fuel and lubricant quality. Sulphur compounds, nitrogen compounds, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and other reactive species are converted into polar oxygenated molecules that are readily removed using conventional liquid-liquid extraction, leaving the valuable hydrocarbon molecules largely unchanged.
The result is a cleaner, more stable, higher-value product with lower sulphur, reduced aromatics and nitrogen, improved colour and oxidation stability, and enhanced suitability for increasingly demanding fuel and lubricant specifications.
The patented chemistry operates under mild temperatures and pressures, enabling these upgrades to be delivered using simple, modular process equipment rather than complex high-pressure hydrogen systems. This reduces capital intensity, operating complexity and hydrogen dependence while enabling deployment within existing refinery infrastructure as well as emerging decentralised and circular processing facilities.
Ultrex® units are supplied as modular skid-mounted systems. The technology can be integrated into refinery precincts, tank farms, pipeline terminals and other fuel processing locations, providing a practical and scalable solution for upgrading conventional, lower-quality and circular feedstocks while supporting the transition to a lower-carbon, more circular energy system.
Ultrex® is a patented oxygen-based upgrading platform that removes the molecules that limit fuel and lubricant quality.
The functional concept of the Ultrex® process is based on the philosophy that the Sulphur bearing hydrocarbons molecules are oxidised to their dioxide equivalent using an oxidation process.
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When these Sulphur species are oxidised to their dioxide equivalent (Sulfones), the sulphur bearing molecules exhibit:
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Higher boiling point – allowing the sulphur species to be concentrated and removed through distillation
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Increased Polarity – allowing the sulphur species to be extracted using a polar solvent
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The oxidation of sulphur species is difficult due to electron density and sulphur atom position on the parent aromatic ring.
Due to this, the oxidation process requires a strong oxidant media to transform the sulphur portion of the aromatic molecule to its sulfone equivalent.
An active source of oxygen is required in the process, such as peroxide.
Active oxygen needs to be transported from the aqueous oxidant media into the oil phase, which is achieved via a phase transfer catalyst (PTC) plus vigorous mixing.
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Following oxidation, the sulphone molecules are highly polar and can be removed from the parent oil using a polar solvent in a liquid-liquid extraction process.
The polar solvent ‘strips’ the sulphones from the oxidised oil in a counter-current extractor column, concentrating these in a high-sulphur residual product.
A water wash or steam strip is performed on the stripped oil to remove any residual solvent, leaving an ultra-low or low product depending on required specification. The used solvent is regenerated and reused in a continuous process.
For some heavy residual oils, a distillation step is used in lieu of liquid-liquid solvent extraction; producing a low sulphur fuel oil and concentrating the sulphones and asphaltenes in a bitumen extender by-product.
Ultraclean ‘Beta’ unit - 1,000 bpd
The Ultrex® solution has been successfully demonstrated at a scale of 1,000 barrels per day in a pilot unit to separate low sulphur diesel into ultra-low sulphur diesel plus a high sulphur residue product suitable for use as off-road non-taxable diesel or as marine fuel (0.5% wt)
Competitive Advantage vs hydrodesulphurisation (HDS)
Simpler, cleaner, and safer….