A method and product for removing sulfur compound molecules from gasoline
or diesel fuel includes exposing the gasoline or diesel fuel to a
plurality of molecularly imprinted polymer beads (MIPS) that have
receptor sites on the surfaces thereof that include imprints that match
the physical shape of at least a portion of a sulfur compound molecule. A
quantity of the sulfur molecules align with and adhere to some of the
receptor sites and, accordingly, they are removed from the gasoline or
diesel fuel producing a remediated or sweetened gasoline or diesel fuel.
According to one embodiment, the MIPS are contained in an enclosure
having a plurality of openings large enough to permit the solution to
pass through and small enough so as to prevent the MIPS from passing
through. According to another embodiment the MIPS are applied (i.e.,
coated) to the inside surface of a conduit and the gasoline or diesel
fuel is forced or allowed to flow through the conduit thereby removing
some of the sulfur molecules therefrom. The MIPS are treated after use to
remove a sufficient quantity of the sulfur molecules from the receptor
sites and are reused.