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: 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: Rerefined used oil supplies are treated on a continuous basis so as to clarify the flow and so as to neutralize oxidation product components such as carboxylic acids which remain within the oil stocks after they have been rerefined by upstream procedures. The process is carried out on a continuous basis, and the treatment includes utilizing very low quantities of strong base for each volume of rerefined used oil that is thus treated. The treatment process includes continuously vacuum distilling a continuous flow of used oil stock and strong base composition.

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 enhancement of the cetane number of a diesel fuel which in one embodiment comprises:(1) treating a diesel oil with a nitrogenous treating agent in a nitrogen amount, equivalent on a 100% nitric acid basis, to about 10 weight percent or less of the diesel oil feed;(2) separating unreacted nitrogenous treating agent from the diesel oil of step (1);(3) treating the diesel oil of step (2) with an inorganic alkali to produce a treated diesel oil; and(4) blending the treated diesel oil of step (3) with an untreated diesel oil to produce a blended diesel fuel such that the added nitrogen content in the blended diesel fuel is(a) about 300 ppm or less of nitrogen added when the diesel oil treated in step (1) is obtained from virgin diesel oil stock; or(b) about 450 ppm or less of nitrogen added when the diesel oil treated in step (1) is obtained from hydrotreated diesel oil stock.

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 process is disclosed for treating hydrocarbon streams by the catalyzed oxidation of mercaptans to disulfides. In the process, the hydrocarbon-containing stream is admixed with air and then passed through an oxidation zone. The oxidation zone effluent is decanted to remove an aqueous alkaline solution in a high pressure separation zone. It is then depressurized into a low pressure separator in which dissolved excess nitrogen and oxygen are substantially removed from the hydrocarbons. The treated hydrocarbons are then pressurized to force their flow into a low pressure product receiving facility. This sequence eliminates or minimizes the discharge of gaseous nitrogen and oxygen and hydrocarbon vapors in the storage facility, where they are pollution abatement problems and possible safety hazards.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating hydrocarbon streams such as naphtha by the oxidation of mercaptans into disulfide compounds which remain in the hydrocarbon stream. The conversion is effected during passage of the hydrocarbon and an aqueous stream downward through a cylindrical mass of liquid-liquid contact material. The liquids then flow through a cylindrical screen into an annular separation zone which surrounds a lower part of the contact material. After decantation in the separation zone, the aqueous material, which preferably contains the oxidation catalyst, is recycled.

Abstract: A process for upgrading oils is disclosed, in which the oil to be upgraded is contacted with liquid phase water and free oxygen at an elevated temperature and at a pressure sufficient to maintain at least part of the water in the liquid phase.

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: A method for treating sulfur-containing lubricating oil, by contacting the oil with iodine in the presence of an aqueous solution of alkali and thereafter separating the treated oil from the contacting solution. A lubricating oil having increased resistance to oxidation produced by this method.