Abstract: A method of treating sour liquefied petroleum gas comprising removing hydrogen sulfide from the sour liquefied petroleum gas by:(a) contacting the liquefied petroleum gas in an extraction column with a liquid and regenerable absorbent to obtain purified liquefied petroleum gas;(b) supplying the purified liquefied petroleum gas to a membrane unit comprising a membrane selected from a permselective membrane and a porous hydrophobic membrane, a permeate outlet and a retentate outlet; and(c) removing from the permeate outlet of the membrane unit treated liquefied petroleum gas and from the retentate outlet of the membrane unit contaminated liquefied petroleum gas.

Abstract: Process for reducing the metal content of a hydrocarbon feed mixture by reverse osmosis, comprising contacting the feed mixture substantially boiling in the range between about 100.degree. and about 350.degree. C. and containing at most about 1000 parts per billion by weight (ppbw) of metal(s) with a metal-selective membrane to give a hydrocarbon permeate stream having a metal content which is less.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating a dispersed liquid phase from a continuous liquid phase by electrostatic coalescence comprising an elongated vessel having an inlet and outlet. The vessel is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment with the compartments being in fluid communication with one another. Each compartment is provided with a plurality of substantially parallel cylindrical cathodic elements arranged in the main flow direction, and a plurality of rod-like anodic elements, each element being substantially concentrically arranged inside a cathodic element. The cathodic elements of the first compartment have cross-sectional areas substantially larger than the cross-sectional areas of the cathodic elements of each consecutive compartment.