Abstract: A method of drying liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons by contacting a feed stream of the hydrocarbon with an aqueous solution of a salt drying agent prior to passing the stream through a salt dryer to remove part of the water in the stream. The aqueous solution of the salt drying agent is generated in the salt dryer when the partly dried stream comes into contact with the drying salt and forms the solution. The solution is circulated in a loop from the salt dryer to the incoming feed and then through a liquid/liquid coalescer which removes a portion of the water together with dissolved salt from the mixture before the mixture is passed on to the salt dryer where further removal of water occurs. The salt dryer is off-loaded by a substantial factor by the initial partial dehydration and does not require to remove such a large amount of water; the salt consumption is therefore reduced in proportion to the amount of water removed in the treatment steps which precede the dryer.

Abstract: A method for the removal of entrained hydrocarbons, particularly aromatics, from water by extracting the hydrocarbons in the water with a hydrocarbon which is relatively less soluble in the water than the entrained hydrocarbon. The hydrocarbons are then separated from the water by a process of coalescence/separation. The extractant is suitably a paraffinic hydrocarbon which, while having an affinity for the entrained hydrocarbon, is relatively less soluble in water than hydrocarbons such as aromatics. The hydrocarbons removed from the water can be recirculated to the feed with the composition of the recirculating phase being controlled to achieve the desired level of hydrocarbon removal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the direct measurement of corrosive sulfur and other corrosive compounds is provided. The method and apparatus of the current invention provides a rapid, reliable and cost effective method to directly measure the content of corrosive compounds in various fluids, and in particular liquid petroleum and liquid petroleum products such as gasoline. The apparatus can be retrofit to existing analyzers where they exist, or easily installed in locations that require such analysis.

Abstract: A method for reducing the level of elemental sulfur from sulfur-containing hydrocarbon streams as well as reducing the level of total sulfur in such streams. Preferred hydrocarbon streams include fuel streams such as naphtha streams that are transported through a pipeline. The sulfur-containing hydrocarbon stream is contacted with a mixture of water, a caustic, at least one metal sulfide, and an aromatic mercaptan. This results in an aqueous phase and a hydrocarbon phase containing reduced levels of both elemental sulfur and total sulfur.

Abstract: A process for reducing the level of elemental sulfur from sulfur-containing hydrocarbon streams, particularly refined fuel streams such as gasoline that is transported through a pipeline. A mercaptan compound is mixed with the stream prior to, or after, the stream is pipelined.

Abstract: The amount of elemental sulfur or other sulfur contaminant picked-up by refined hydrocarbon product such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene or fuel additive such as ether, which is pipelined in a pipeline used to transport sour hydrocarbon fluids, is reduced by controlling the level of dissolved oxygen in the refinery hydrocarbon product to which is to be pipelined, said dissolved oxygen level being held to a level of about 30 wppm and less, preferably about 20 wppm and less. The dissolved oxygen level in the refined hydrocarbon product is controlled by reducing the amount fair injection employed in mercaptan or disulfide reduction production increases or by the use of oxygen scavengers prior to the introduction of the refined hydrocarbon product into the pipeline, or by limiting the exposure of the product to air in oxygen during transport or storage.

Abstract: A method for controlling the blending of blend stocks having boiling points less that 350.degree. C. into blend products or controlling refinery or chemical processes with feedstocks and products with boiling points less than 350.degree. C. The method comprises selecting one or more chemical or perceptual or physical property or performance properties of the blend stock or blend product or refinery or chemical feed or product, creating a training set from reference samples which contain characteristic molecular species present in the blend stock or blend product or refinery or chemical process feed or product. The reference samples are subject to GC/MS analysis wherein the often collinear data generated is treated by multivariate correlation methods.

Abstract: A process for removing elemental sulfur from fluids such as refined petroleum products transported through pipelines normally used for the transport of sour hydrocarbon streams. The sulfur containing fluids are mixed with an immiscible aliphatic solution containing an inorganic caustic material, methanol or aqueous alcohol and an inorganic sulfide or hydrosulfide capable of reacting with the elemental sulfur in a mixing zone to form a polysulfide present in the immiscible alcoholic solution, passing the mixture of fluid and immiscible alcoholic solution to a phase separation zone wherein mixture separates into a fluid phase of reduced elemental and total sulfur content and an immiscible alcoholic phase containing polysulfides, recovering the fluid phase of reduced sulfur content from the phase separation zone, recovering the immiscible alcoholic phase containing polysulfide from the phase separation zone and recycling the immiscible alcoholic solution to the mixing zone.

Abstract: The resistance of in-tank fuel pump copper commutators to become excessively worn by exposure to petroleum fuels containing at least 10 mg/liter of elemental sulfur is substantially increased by the addition of at least about 5 mg/liter of an organomercaptan, compound and at least about 25 mg/liter of a copper metal deactivator capable of forming a sulfur - resistant barrier coating on the copper commutator, to produce a novel fuel composition.

Abstract: A process for removing elemental sulfur from fluids such as refined petroleum products transported through pipelines for the transportation of sour hydrocarbon streams. The fluids are contacted with an aqueous solution containing caustic, an aliphatic mercaptan and optionally a sulfide to produce an aqueous layer containing metal polysulfides and a clear fluid layer having a reduced elemental sulfur level.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for removing elemental sulfur from fluids such as refined petroleum products transported through pipelines for the transportation of sour hydrocarbon streams. The sulfur-containing fluids are mixed with an inorganic caustic material, an alkyl alcohol and an organo mercaptan or sulfide compound capable of reacting with sulfur to form a fluid-insoluble polysulfide salt reaction product at ambient reaction temperatures. The treated fluid is then contacted with an adsorbent or filtered to remove the insoluble salt leaving a product of very low residual sulfur content.

Abstract: A process for removing elemental sulfur from fluids such as refined petroleum products transported through pipelines for the transportation of sour hydrocarbon streams. The fluids are contacted with an aqueous solution containing caustic, sulfide and optionally elemental sulfur to produce an aqueous layer containing metal polysulfides and a clear fluid layer having a reduced elemental sulfur level. Organo mercaptans may also be mixed with the fluid to accelerate the removal of elemental sulfur.