Abstract: A process for removal of arsenic from a hydrocarbon stream containing arsenic together with mercaptan and non-mercaptan sulfur compounds. The hydrocarbon stream is passed through at least two mercaptan oxidizing reactors in series wherein the mercaptans are oxidized to disulfides to produce a low mercaptan liquid containing no more than 1.5 ppm sulfur as mercaptans. The low mercaptan liquid is passed over an arsenic sorbent catalyst containing less than 20 weight percent gamma alumina to selectively sorb arsenic substantially without sorbing non-mercaptan sulfur compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the sweetening of a petroleum fraction in a fixed catalytic bed in the presence of an oxidizing agent, by catalytic oxidation of the mercaptans which it contains, in the presence of a catalyst in the form of a support impregnated with a metal chelate and in the absence of an aqueous base, the water content of the support is maintained within a predetermined range of values by action on the solvent power of the feedstock for the water of the support as a function of temperature.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for sweetening a sour hydrocarbon fraction. The process involves two steps. In one step the mercaptans in the sour hydrocarbon fraction are reacted with hydrogen in the presence of a selective hydrogenolysis catalyst to selectively hydrogenolyse the tertiary mercaptans. In another step, the mercaptans are oxidized by reacting them with an oxidizing agent in the presence of oxidation catalyst and a basic component. The selective hydrogenolysis step and the oxidation step may be carried out in any order, i.e., either hydrogenolysis first followed by oxidation or vice versa.

Abstract: Although high naphthenic acid hydrocarbon feedstocks normally need to be washed with caustic prior to being sweetened in a fixed bed mercaptan-to-disulfide oxidation process to avoid bed plugging, the prewash can be eliminated if aqueous ammonia is used concurrent with and as a part of the sweetening process. Aqueous ammonia injected into a sour hydrocarbon stream prior to the sweetening zone not only eliminates bed plugging, but affords an aqueous phase from which naphthenic acids may be recovered easily and economically. The ammonia also can be recovered for reuse, affording a process with considerably enhanced economic return.

Abstract: A process for sweetening a petroleum fraction by catalytic oxidation of mercaptans contained therein in a fixed bed of the supported catalyst, with the oxidation reaction being carried out in the absence of an aqueous phase and in the presence of an oxidizing agent, and the water molecules formed during the oxidation reaction being removed from the catalyst support by washing the latter periodically with a substantial quantity of a polar solvent that is miscible with water.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved catalyst for treating a sour hydrocarbon stream. The improvement comprises the use of a dipolar compound which has a positively charged atom and an electronegative group in the same structure. A particularly preferred dipolar compound is ephedrine. The dipolar compounds may be used in conjunction with a metal chelate and a basic solution either in a liquid-liquid process or a fixed bed process with substantially increased performance for oxidizing mercaptans which are found in the sour hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide is removed from a water-in-oil emulsion by treatment of the emulsion with sulfur dioxide to convert the hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur. The elemental sulfur formed is distributed between the oil phase and the aqueous phase of the emulsion.

Abstract: Molecular sieves are used to remove sulfur compounds (e.g., COS and H.sub.2 S) from liquid hydrocarbon streams, particularly liquid propane. During regeneration of the sieves, some of the liquid hydrocarbons remains on the sieves and is lost be vaporization during the purge step and the liquid fill step. This invention reduces the loss by recovery and recycle of the vaporized hydrocarbons in the liquid recovery process.

Abstract: Molecular sieves are used to remove sulfur compounds (e.g., COS and H.sub.2 S) from liquid hydrocarbon streams, particularly liquid propane. During regeneration of the sieves, some of the liquid hydrocarbons remains on the sieves and is lost by vaporization during the purge step and the liquid fill step. This invention reduces the loss by recovery and recycle of the vaporized hydrocarbons in the liquid recovery process.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process and catalyst for treating a sour hydrocarbon stream. The improvement comprises the use of a dipolar compound which has a positively charged atom and an electronegative group in the same structure. A particularly preferred dipolar compound is ephedrine. The dipolar compounds may be used in conjunction with a metal chelate and a basic solution either in a liquid-liquid process or a fixed bed process with substantially increased performance for oxidizing mercaptans which are found in the sour hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved liquid/liquid process for oxidizing mercaptans in a sour hydrocarbon fraction. The improvement is the addition of a quaternary ammonium compound to the alkali metal solution which contains a metal chelate such as a metal phthalocyanine. A preferred type of quaternary ammonium compound is a surfactant quaternary ammonium compound. A synergistic effect between the quaternary ammonium compound and the metal chelate is observed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for sweetening a sour hydrocarbon fraction containing mercaptans. The process involves contacting the hydrocarbon fraction in the presence of an oxidizing agent with a catalytic composite, ammonium hydroxide and a quaternary ammonium hydroxide. There is a synergistic effect between the ammonium hydroxide and the quaternary ammonium hydroxide. Use of ammonium hydroxide instead of an alkaline hydroxide allows the waste stream to be re-used in other parts of the refinery, and allows for easier disposal of the waste stream.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulphide is scavenged from a feedstock comprising crude oil and hydrogen sulphide by adding a compound of general formula ##STR1## to the feedstock. R is an alkyl group containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl group, or an alkyl aryl group wherein the alkyl moiety contains 1 to 18 carbon atoms and L is a leaving group.Preferred scavengers include acetic anhydride and triacetamide.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a process for sweetening a sour hydrocarbon fraction containing mercaptans. The process involves contacting the hydrocarbon fraction in the presence of an oxidizing agent with a catalytic composite, ammonium hydroxide and a quaternary ammonium salt other than hydroxide. The instant process does not use any strong base nor any alkali hydroxides to sweeten the sour hydrocarbon fraction.

Abstract: The thermal stability of jet fuel sweetened by oxidation is improved by washing the sweetened fuel with strong aqueous caustic.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalytic composite effective in oxidizing mercaptans contained in a sour petroleum distillate to disulfides. The catalytic composite comprises a metal chelate, an onium compound and optionally an alkali metal hydroxide. The onium compound may be selected from the group consisting of phosphonium, arsonium, stibonium, oxonium and sulfonium compounds, with phosphonium, oxonium and sulfonium compounds preferred. Additionally, metal phthalocyanines are a preferred class of metal chelates. This invention also relates to an improved process for treating a sour petroleum distillate, wherein the improvement comprises using the catalytic composite described above.

Abstract: A process for treating hydrocarbons containing mercaptans comprising the steps of contacting a first mercaptan-containing hydrocarbon stream with a first aqueous alkaline solution stream to form a mercaptide-rich aqueous alkaline solution stream and a reduced-mercaptan hydrocarbon stream; combining said mercaptide-rich aqueous alkaline solution stream with a second mercaptan-containing hydrocarbon stream and with oxygen to form a first mixture; oxidizing said mixture to form a second mixture of hydrocarbon, disulfides and aqueous alkaline solution; and separating said second mixture into a disulfide-containing hydrocarbon stream and a regenerated aqueous alkaline solution stream; whereby said second hydrocarbon stream is sweetened and said mercaptide-rich aqueous alkaline solution is regenerated simultaneously in the same step.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalytic composite effective in oxidizing mercaptans contained in a sour petroleum distillate to disulfides. The catalytic composite comprises a metal chelate, an onium compound and optionally an alkali metal hydroxide. The onium compound may be selected from the group consisting of phosphonium, arsonium, stibonium, oxonium and sulfonium compounds, with phosphonium, oxonium and sulfonium compounds preferred. Additionally, metal phthalocyanines are a preferred class of metal chelates. This invention also relates to an improved process for treating a sour petroleum distillate, wherein the improvement comprises using the catalytic composite described above.

Abstract: This invention relates to a non-oxidative method of sweetening a sour hydrocarbon fraction. The method comprises treating a sour hydrocarbon fraction containing mercaptans with an acid-type catalyst in the presence of an unsaturated hydrocarbon at reaction conditions thereby converting said mercaptans to thioethers. Acid type catalysts which may be used include polymeric sulfonic acid resins, intercalate compounds, sollid acid catalysts and acidic inorganic oxide catalysts.

Abstract: In the desalting of crude oil, water-insoluble solids such as rust, iron sulfide, silt, clay, drilling mud components, etc., contained in the crude accumulate in an interfacial emulsion layer or cuff between the desalted crude and water phases. The major portion of this cuff is recycled to the crude feed and the remainder is mixed with a light diluent oil to break the emulsion and then settled to separate the crude and the water. The water-insoluble solids separate with the water. The separated oil phase may be combined with the desalted crude.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is described whereby a sour hydrocarbon distillate stream is treated in two oxidation zones within the same reaction vessel to oxidize mercaptans. The initial treatment is in the presence of a fiber bundle and the subsequent treatment over a bed of supported oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: A catalyst is disclosed for oxidizing mercaptans to disulfides, or inorganic sulfides to elemental sulfur. The catalytic agent is a compound consisting of a metal atom bonded to a chelate such as phthalocyanine, and also to axial ligands. The compound preferably is composited on an inert granular solid support. The catalyst is an improvement over existing catalysts in that its use does not require basic agents such as caustic.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing mercaptans from highly olefinic feed streams by extraction with an aqueous alkaline solution. The aqueous solution is preferably regenerated by oxidation of extracted mercaptans to disulfides. The invention employs two extraction steps performed on the aqueous solution to limit the passage of olefins or acetylenes into the mercaptan conversion zone and to limit the passage of mercaptans and/or oxygenates into the primary extraction zone.

Abstract: A process for sweetening a sour hydrocarbon fraction containing mercaptan which comprises reacting mercaptan contained in the hydrocarbon fraction with an oxidizing agent by contacting the hydrocarbon fraction and the oxidizing agent with a supported metal chelate mercaptan oxidation catalyst and anhydrous ammonia in the absence of an aqueous phase.

Abstract: A process for sweetening a sour hydrocarbon fraction containing mercaptan which comprises reacting mercaptans contained in the hydrocarbon fraction with an oxidizing agent by passing the hydrocarbon fraction and the oxidizing agent into contact with a bed of metal chelate mercaptan oxidation catalyst and a solid carrier material having an average particle size of less than about 110 mesh.

Abstract: A process for sweetening a sour hydrocarbon fraction containing mercaptan which comprises reacting mercaptans contained in the hydrocarbon fraction with an oxidizing agent by passing said hydrocarbon fraction and said oxidizing agent into contact with a heterogeneous admixture of a metal chelate mercaptan oxidation catalyst and a solid desiccant.

Abstract: Small amounts of lower alcohols are admixed with sour hydrocarbons and the mixture is contacted with a copper-containing catalyst at an elevated temperature. The alcohol serves as the oxygen source for the catalytic oxygenative conversion to disulfides of mercaptans souring the hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A process for sweetening and desulfurizing a sulfur-containing hydrocarbon stream boiling at a temperature less than about 650.degree. F. The process comprises contacting the hydrocarbon stream with an oxidic catalyst at a temperature of about 300 to 650.degree. F. and at a pressure of about 1 to 5 atmospheres. The oxidic catalyst comprises a molecular sieve selected from the group consisting of hydrogen-form molecular sieves and rare-earth-form molecular sieves.

Abstract: A cryogenic process for separating relatively pure fractions of methane and carbon dioxide from mixtures thereof which also contain other components. The process utilizes a lean oil as an absorbent which performs the additional functions of preventing the formation of solid carbon dioxide within the apparatus and preventing formation of an azeotrope of carbon dioxide with ethane and enhancing the separation of hydrogen sulfide from carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method of treating a mercaptan-containing sour petroleum distillate which comprises contacting said distillate at oxidation conditions with a mercaptan oxidation catalyst, such as a metal phthalocyanine disposed on a carrier, in the presence of a substituted ammonium compound, such as a benzyldimethylalkylammonium hydroxide, and a linear ionic compound, the latter preferably comprising a saturated compound having from about 9 to about 24 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Unsaturated gasolines of both high mercaptan or hydrogen sulfide content and high gum-generator content are hydrogenated first over a palladium catalyst and then over a nickel catalyst. Resultant unsaturated gasolines are sweet and have low gum-generator content.