The new joint venture recently formed between Axial Vector Energy Corp. (AXVC.PK) and privately held Petrosonics, to market Petrosonics’ advanced sulfur removal technologies, is significantly strengthened by the presence of worldwide government movements to reduce sulfur emissions from automotive fuels. In addition, there is now increasing pressure to expand sulfur emission regulations to locomotives, ships, and other off-road fuels. Recently California proposed requiring ocean-going vessels to use lower-sulfur marine distillates when within 24 nautical miles of the coastline.

Standard sulfur reduction technologies, such as hydrotreatment, are not cost effective for most small to mid-sized refineries, nor can they meet the anticipated global demand for zero sulfur levels. Petrosonics’ technologies, on the other hand, cover most of the oil producers and refiners in the world, irrespective of refinery configuration.

Oxidative desulfurization technology can be used for multiple fuels, including gasoline and diesel. Utilization can