Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site floyd.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!wgg From: wgg@floyd.UUCP (Bill Graves) Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: Re: Catalytic converters increase sulfur emissions Message-ID: <2042@floyd.UUCP> Date: Fri, 3-Feb-84 15:45:57 EST Article-I.D.: floyd.2042 Posted: Fri Feb 3 15:45:57 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 8-Feb-84 04:13:59 EST Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Whippany NJ Lines: 21 The origin of the sulfur in gasoline is the crude oil from which it was refined. Certain crudes are highly sulfurous, others are "sweet". The Arabian crudes are "sweet", as, I understand, are the north sea crudes. The western American crudes tend to be "sour". A similar situation exists, of course, with coal. The sulfur can be chemically removed, at a certain cost, but doing so usually depends on the presence of a strong market for sulfur/sulfurous compounds. I understand the present market for sulfur is somewhat depressed, although not as much as it was during the recent recession. So the choice for a refiner becomes * Use "sweet" crude. (From the Arabs?) * Flood the market with sulfur. (If the market will take it) * Acid rain. * More expensive gas. I guess it is safe to say, in the last 9 years, that we have had all four. The best of all possible worlds. More than you ever wanted to know. Bill Graves (floyd!wgg)