Abstract: In crude oil fractions, fossil fuels, and organic liquids in general in which it is desirable to reduce the levels of sulfur-containing and nitrogen-containing components, the process reduces the level of these compounds via the application of sonic energy. The process can be performed both with and without the added presence of an oxidizing agent, and with or without elevated temperature and/or pressure. The invention is performed either as a continuous process or a batch process.

Abstract: Contaminants such as mercaptans, oxygenates and olefins are removed from paraffin-rich feed streams through the use of catalytic distillation performed using an acid catalyst such as a sulphonated resin in the substantial absence of hydrogen. The mercaptans are reacted with the olefins to form less volatile thioethers removed as part of a net bottoms stream with the treated paraffins being removed as the overhead stream.

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: Hydrogen sulfide can be conveniently removed from streams containing up to about 1,000 ppm of H.sub.2 S by reacting the latter with an olefin using a bed of an acidic solid catalyst in a non-oxidative process for the removal of hydrogen sulfide. The reaction can be effected under relatively mild conditions and is very selective for the removal of hydrogen sulfide without being attended by other unwanted reactions such as oligomerization, disproportionation, and skeletal rearrangement. Levels of hydrogen sulfide in the treated product of no more than about 5 ppm can be readily attained using a broad variety of acidic solid catalysts and unsaturated hydrocarbons, especially olefins.

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 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.