Abstract: Phosphates can be removed from a hydrocarbon stream by contacting said stream with a ceramic formed of a basic material which is insoluble in the hydrocarbon stream. A ceramic as used in this patent document is a solid solution formed by calcination of a compound. The removal of the organic acid is accomplished at temperatures ranging from 20.degree. C. to 400.degree. C., a preferred temperature is between 200.degree. C. and 370.degree. C. A hydrocarbon stream consists of C.sub.5 + hydrocarbons. The basic material can be made up of one or more alkaline earth oxides, alkaline earth compounds, alkaline metal compounds, group IIIA element compounds, group IVA element compounds, group VIA element compounds. Preferred alkaline earth oxides are sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, aluminum and silicon. The support for the basic material can be made from any inorganic oxide.

Abstract: A fire retarded solvent composition includes a mixture of at least one flammable organic solvent; and a mixture of at least one brominated hydrocarbon, in an amount sufficient to decrease the flame propagation rate of the composition and preferably increase the flash point of the solvent composition. The brominated hydrocarbon may be selected from the group consisting of dibromoethane, dibromomethane, chlorodibromomethane, bromochloromethane, dibromodifluoromethane, dibromodifluoroethane, 1,2,dibromo-1.1-difluoroethane, chlorodibromofluoromethane, 1,2dibromotetrafluoroethane and 1,2dibromoethylene. Dibromomethane and bromochloromethane are preferred. When used as an oil and gas operation fluid, the fluorinated hydrocarbons should not be used, nor should the brominated hydrocarbon be an aromatic or contain an oxygen bridge. The organic solvent is preferably selected from the group consisting of light petroleum distillate, diesel and crude, the fluid hydrocarbon primarily having between 5 and 12 carbon atoms.