21st Jan 2025 14:29
(Alliance News) - SulNOx Group PLC on Tuesday said it had been granted a fuel oil reclamation patent in Nigeria.
The London-based hydrocarbon fuel developer said the licence covers SulNOx's oil and water separation methodology. The demulsifying process uses the company's already-patented Berol 6446 product and, according to SulNOx, could reduce waste in the maritime sector.
SulNOx claims its process can address the "perennial problem of ships' slops". This refers to maritime industrial waste which is rich in hydrocarbon, but typically contains about 70% water, meaning high temperatures are required to separate the heavy fuel oil.
According to SulNOx, plants which follow the company's process can lower the required temperature, and reduce the processing time from between 10 and 12 hours to three hours. Oil recovered this way typically contains less than 1.5% water, according to figures provided by SulNOx.
The company added: "Growth in the wider market for eco-friendly demulsifiers, used to separate water from fuel oil, is supported by environmental regulation and a corporate imperative to adopt more sustainable practices."
Chief Executive Officer Ben Richardson commented: "This new patent and its different scope mark three important advances for SulNOx: our first intellectual property gained in fuel reclamation; an opportunity in the global maritime industry for tackling the specific area of slops; and greater recognition in Nigeria, which remains a key element of our strategy for Africa."
SulNOx currently holds patents for fuel oil products in the US, Europe, South Africa, China, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.
The company's shares were flat at 95.00 pence each on Tuesday afternoon in London.
By Holly Munks, Alliance News reporter
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