A film-shear reactor was used to enhance the oxidative desulfurization of thiophenes in fuels. With selected conditions, one pass of a model fuel through the film-shear reactor provided up to 55% removal of benzothiophene in only seconds at temperatures as low as 10 degrees C. Recirculation experiments showed that, if the flow rate and all other experimental parameters were held constant, the extent of thiophene removal increased as the residence time increased. Experiments using various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and different fuel: oxidant ratios showed that, above a minimum amount, an increase in oxidant concentration did not lead to increased thiophene removal. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.