Abstract: A system for removing mercaptan contaminants from both liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon streams and methods thereof are described. An additive that reacts with said contaminant to form water-soluble compounds is injected into the hydrocarbon streams.

Abstract: The demercaptanization of petroleum distillates may be carried out by means of the oxidation of the mercaptans contained therein using the oxygen in the air, at a temperature of about 80.degree. to about 220.degree. C., in the presence of about 0.01 to about 10.0 mass % of a water-soluble salt of copper, iron, nickel, or cobalt, on a fibrous carbonaceous material in the form of a woven fabric, felt, rope, or twisted strand, used as a heterogeneous catalyst. The fibrous carbonaceous material used in the process contains oxides of calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron, zinc, and aluminum in an amount of up to about 0.03 mass %.

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: The present invention relates to a chemical process involving a processing step which is sensitive to the presence of at least one component contained within the stream to be processed and to an economical and efficient method of temporarily removing such deleterious component from the stream so as to have the deleterious component by-pass the step which is sensitive to this component using an adsorbent for such removal wherein the adsorbent is regenerated by the product effluent stream leaving the sensitive processing step.