What does desulphurising mean?
Desulphurising is the process of removing sulfur from substances such as petroleum products, coal-derived fuels, and gas. In British English, the word is the present participle of the verb desulphurise and may describe an ongoing action or serve as an attributive modifier, as in a desulphurising plant or unit. The process is especially important in petroleum refining, where sulfur compounds can damage equipment, create corrosive products, and contribute to harmful sulfur dioxide emissions when fuels are burned. Related treatment of gases can also reduce environmental pollution. Desulphurising is a precise technical term rather than a general synonym for cleaning: it identifies the specific removal of sulfur from a material. The word is consequently valuable in discussions of energy, manufacturing, refining, emissions control, and fuel quality, although the American spelling is usually desulfurizing.
verbRemoving sulfur from a substance or material, especially fuel, petroleum products, or gas. The word is the present participle of desulphurise.
- The process of removing sulfur from a substance, especially fuel, petroleum products, or gas.
"The refinery is installing equipment for desulphurising heavy fuel oil."
"The refinery is installing equipment for desulphurising heavy fuel oil."
"A compact scrubber is desulphurising biogas before the gas enters the storage tank."
Desulphurising is chemistry doing a literal scrub-down: taking sulfur out of fuel, gas, and other materials.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does desulphurising come from?
The English verb is formed from the prefix de-, the element sulphur, and the suffix -ise, expressing the removal of sulfur. English sulphur comes through Old French soufre from Latin sulphur, the source of many internationally used chemical terms. The -ising form is characteristic of British spelling, while American English generally uses desulfurizing.
Related word forms
How desulphurising is actually used
This is primarily a technical and industrial term, though it is also used in general descriptions of fuel treatment and pollution control. In British usage, desulphurise takes the present-participle ending -ising; American English normally uses the spelling desulfurize and the ending -izing.
Easily confused with desulphurising
Desulphurising is the action or process of removing sulfur, whereas desulphurisation names the resulting process or condition.
Desulphurising removes sulfur from a material, while sulphurising introduces sulfur or sulfur compounds into it.