Abstract: The invention relates to an in-situ process for preparing an alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The process comprises the step of providing a raw alkylphenol composition. The raw alkylphenol composition comprises one or more alkylphenol compounds and at least about 1 wt % phenol. Each alkylphenol compound has one or more alkyl substituents. The raw alkylphenol composition is reacted directly, without pre-purification, with one or more aldehydes to form an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the in-situ process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition. The tackifier composition and rubber composition containing the in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin show, inter alia, improved tack performance.

Abstract: A sorbent is described, suitable for removing heavy metals, particularly mercury, from fluid streams including 20-75% by weight of copper (expressed as copper (II) oxide) in the form of one or more copper sulphides, the sorbent having a sulphur to copper atomic ratio in the range 0.7 to 0.95:1.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating caustic materials are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for treating caustic materials includes the steps of providing a first caustic solution stream including phenolic constituents and naphthenic constituents, mixing the first caustic solution stream with an acid solution, and separating phenolic acids from the first caustic solution stream. The method further includes further mixing the first caustic solution stream with additional acid solution and separating naphthenic acids from the first caustic solution stream. Still further, the method includes providing a second caustic solution stream including sulfidic constituents, mixing the first caustic solution stream with the second caustic solution stream to form a combined caustic solution stream, and oxidizing the sulfidic constituents of the combined caustic solution stream.

Abstract: Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) may be used to removing carbonyl sulfide (COS) from a process stream containing it. The method involves contacting the process stream with an amount of effective of NaBH4 to react with the COS to form reaction products that may be removed by a process of washing away the reaction product by an aqueous basic compound and/or the reaction product having a higher boiling point than carbonyl sulfide which permits trapping the reaction product, such as in a caustic tower.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for deep desulfurization of gasoline. The method includes steps of: cutting a gasoline feedstock into light, medium, and heavy gasoline fractions; the medium gasoline fraction being subjected to adsorption desulfurization to obtain a desulfurized medium gasoline fraction; the heavy gasoline fraction being subjected to selective hydrodesulfurization to obtain a desulfurized heavy gasoline fraction; mixing the light gasoline fraction with the desulfurized medium gasoline fraction and the desulfurized heavy gasoline fraction to obtain a desulfurized gasoline, where, a cutting temperature of the light and the medium gasoline fractions is 35-60° C., a cutting temperature of the medium and the heavy gasoline fractions is 70-130° C. The method according to the present invention not only can realize deep desulfurization of gasoline, but also has a less loss of octane number.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon feedstreams are desulfurized using an alkali metal reagent, optionally in the presence of hydrogen. Improved control over reaction conditions can be achieved in part by controlling the particle size of the alkali metal salt and by using multiple desulfurization reactors. The processes herein allow a simple and effective method for removing the majority of coke formed in the alkali metal reagent reactions with the hydrocarbon feedstreams. This makes it cost effective to run such processes at higher severities (which result in higher coke production) thereby resulting in increased amounts of valuable converted hydrocarbon product yields. The process improvements herein may also be used to increase total throughput through a unit due to the ability to effectively manage higher coke content in the reaction products.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for electrochemical conversion of dibenzothiophene type molecules of petroleum feedstreams selectively to mercaptan compounds that can then be more easily removed from the electrochemically treated product stream by either caustic extraction or thermal decomposition of the thiol functionality to hydrogen sulfide. The conversion of dibenzothiophenes to mercaptans is performed by electrochemical means in the substantial absence of hydrogen and in the substantial absence of water.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon feedstreams are desulfurized using an alkali metal reagent, optionally in the presence of hydrogen. Improved control over reaction conditions can be achieved in part by controlling the particle size of the alkali metal salt and by using multiple desulfurization reactors. The processes herein allow a simple and effective method for removing the majority of coke formed in the alkali metal reagent reactions with the hydrocarbon feedstreams. This makes it cost effective to run such processes at higher severities (which result in higher coke production) thereby resulting in increased amounts of valuable converted hydrocarbon product yields. The process improvements herein may also be used to increase total throughput through a unit due to the ability to effectively manage higher coke content in the reaction products.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for desulfurizing hydrocarbon feedstreams with alkali metal compounds and regenerating the alkali metal compounds via the use of a copper metal reagent. The present invention employs the use of a copper metal reagent to convert spent alkali metal hydrosulfides in the regeneration of the alkali hydroxide compounds for reutilization in the desulfurization process for the hydrocarbon feedstreams. Additionally, in preferred embodiments of the processes disclosed herein, carbonates which may be detrimental to the overall desulfurization process and related equipment are removed from the regenerated alkali metal stream.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a stack for a separation vessel adapted to receive a fluid having one or more phases. The stack may include one or more walls surrounding a void, a packed bed positioned within the void, and a distributor positioned above the packed bed. Generally, the stack has a height greater than its width. Usually, the separation vessel further includes a base having a length greater than its height, and the height of the stack is orientated substantially perpendicular to the length of the base.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a stack for a separation vessel adapted to receive a fluid having one or more phases. The stack may include one or more walls surrounding a void, a packed bed positioned within the void, and a distributor positioned above the packed bed. Generally, the stack has a height greater than its width. Usually, the separation vessel further includes a base having a length greater than its height, and the height of the stack is orientated substantially perpendicular to the length of the base.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon feedstreams are desulfurized using an alkali metal reagent, optionally in the presence of hydrogen. Improved control over reaction conditions can be achieved in part by controlling the particle size of the alkali metal salt and by using multiple desulfurization reactors. After separation of the spent alkali metal reagent, the resulting product can have suitable characteristics for pipeline transport and/or further refinery processing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for steam-cracking naphtha, according to which a charge of hydrocarbons containing a portion of paraffinic naphtha, which is modified by adding a combination of a first component containing a portion of gasoline and a second component containing a portion of at least one hydrocarbonated refinery gas, and a paraffin-rich change containing at least one paraffin selected among propane, butane, or a mixture thereof are fed through a steam cracker in the presence of vapor. Also disclosed is a hydrocarbon composition suitable for steam cracking, containing a portion of a paraffinic naphtha, which is modified by adding a combination of a first component containing a portion of gasoline and a second component containing a portion of at least one hydrocarbonated refinery gas and a paraffin-rich charge containing at least one paraffin selected among propane, butane, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: An improved method for desulfurizing a fuel stream such as a diesel stream is disclosed which includes generation of a sulfone oil, the desulfurization of the sulfone oil and the recycling of the resulting biphenyl-rich stream and ultra-low sulfur diesel streams. The method includes combining a thiophene-rich diesel stream with an oxidant to oxidize the thiophenes to sulfones to provide a sulfone-rich diesel stream. Sulfone oil is extracted from the sulfone-rich diesel stream to provide sulfone oil and a first low-sulfur diesel stream The low-sulfur diesel stream is recycled. The sulfone-rich oil stream is combined with an aqueous oxidant-containing stream, such as caustic stream, which oxidizes the sulfones to biphenyls and forms sulfite to provide a second low-sulfur diesel stream.

Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon feedstock includes the steps of providing a hydrocarbon feed having an initial characteristic; providing a first hydrogen-containing gas; feeding the hydrocarbon feed and the first hydrogen-containing gas cocurrently to a first hydroprocessing zone so as to provide a first hydrocarbon product; providing a plurality of additional hydroprocessing zones including a final zone and an upstream zone; feeding the first hydrocarbon product cocurrently with a recycled gas to the upstream zone so as to provide an intermediate hydrocarbon product; and feeding the intermediate hydrocarbon product cocurrently with a second hydrogen-containing gas to the final zone so as to provide a final hydrocarbon product having a final characteristic which is improved as compared to the initial characteristic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the desulfurization of gasolines comprising a stage for fractionation of said gasoline into a light fraction that comprises thiophenic compounds such as thiophene or methylthiophenes, and a heavy fraction that concentrates the heaviest aromatic sulfur-containing compounds. The heavy fraction is treated by hydrodesulfurization, while the light fraction is brought into contact with a solid adsorbent that makes it possible to eliminate at least partially said light thiophenic compounds, whereby said adsorbent solid is regenerated by a flow internal to the process.

Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon feed with a known flow rate of hydrogen-containing gas and a volume of catalyst, includes the steps of providing a hydrocarbon feed having an initial characteristic; feeding the hydrocarbon feed and a first portion of the hydrogen-containing gas cocurrently to a first hydroprocessing zone containing a first portion of the catalyst so as to provide a first hydrocarbon product; providing an additional hydroprocessing zone containing a remainder of the catalyst; feeding the first hydrocarbon product cocurrently with a remainder of the hydrogen-containing gas to the additional hydroprocessing zone so as to provide a final hydrocarbon product having a final characteristic which is improved as compared to the initial characteristic, wherein the first portion of the hydrogen-containing gas is between about 30 and about 80% vol. of the known flow rate of the hydrogen-containing gas, and the first portion of the catalyst is between about 30 and about 70% wt.

Abstract: A method for producing a substantially desulfurized a hydrocarbon fuel stream at temperatures less than 100° C. The method includes providing a nondesulfurized fuel cell hydrocarbon fuel stream that may include water and passing the fuel stream sequentially through a zeolite Y adsorbent and a selective sulfur adsorbent. The zeolite Y adsorbent may be exchanged with copper ions. The method produces a substantially desulfurized hydrocarbon fuel stream containing less than 50 ppb sulfur.

Abstract: Refractory or hard sulfur found in a hydrocarbon stream containing refractory sulfur heterocycle compounds, particularly those exhibiting steric hindrance, is removed from the stream by contacting it with a sodium reagent comprising a sodium component, having free sodium, supported on a solid support component. If the hydrocarbon stream contains more labile or easy sulfur, then it is treated, typically by hydrodesulfurization, to remove at least most of the labile sulfur before it is contacted with the sodium reagent. This is useful for bringing the sulfur level of middle distillate fuel streams, such as diesel and jet fuel fractions, down to a level of less than about 10 wppm, employing conventional hydrodesulfurizing catalysts and conditions.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus and process for extracting sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon stream. A prewash section for converting hydrogen sulfide to sodium sulfide by reaction with an alkali such as caustic communicates with an extractor section disposed directly above the prewash section for converting mercaptans to mercaptides by reaction with alkali. Hydrocarbon product exits the extractor section through a coalescer that prevents alkali from exiting with the hydrocarbon product stream.

Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon feedstock includes the steps of providing a hydrocarbon feed having an initial characteristic; providing a first hydrogen-containing gas; feeding the hydrocarbon feed and the first hydrogen-containing gas cocurrently to a first hydroprocessing zone so as to provide a first hydrocarbon product; providing a plurality of additional hydroprocessing zones including a final zone and an upstream zone; feeding the first hydrocarbon product cocurrently with a recycled gas to the upstream zone so as to provide an intermediate hydrocarbon product; and feeding the intermediate hydrocarbon product cocurrently with a second hydrogen-containing gas to the final zone so as to provide a final hydrocarbon product having a final characteristic which is improved as compared to the initial characteristic.

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: Processes for generating and removing oxidized sulfur species, and in particular sulfoxides, from crude oil and various fractions derived therefrom. Initially, the sulfur species present in the crude oil or fractions derived from the crude oil, is oxidized such that substantially all of the sulfur species are converted to sulfoxides and/or a combination of sulfoxides and sulfones. Thereafter, the fossil fuel containing the oxidized sulfur species are subjected to conventional hydrodesulfurization processes where substantially all of the sulfones are converted to hydrogen sulfide gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and process for extracting sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon stream. A prewash section for converting hydrogen sulfide to sodium sulfide by reaction with an alkali such as caustic communicates with an extractor section disposed directly above, the prewash section for converting mercaptans to mercaptides by reaction with alkali. Hydrocarbon product exits the extractor section through a coalescer that prevents alkali from exiting with the hydrocarbon product stream.

Abstract: A process for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon feedstock, includes the steps of providing a hydrocarbon feed having an initial characteristic; providing a first hydrogen-containing gas; feeding the hydrocarbon feed and the first hydrogen-containing gas cocurrently to a first hydroprocessing zone so as to provide a first hydrocarbon product; providing a plurality of additional hydroprocessing zones including a final zone and an upstream zone; feeding the first hydrocarbon product cocurrently with a recycled gas to the upstream zone so as to provide an intermediate hydrocarbon product; and feeding the intermediate hydrocarbon product cocurrently with a second hydrogen-containing gas to the final zone so as to provide a final hydrocarbon product having a final characteristic which is improved as compared to the initial characteristic.

Abstract: A process for decreasing the amount of sulfur in a petroleum stream.

Abstract: A process for desulfurizing a gasoline stream while continuing to maintain the octane rating of the blend stock. A gasoline stream containing sulfur compounds and olefins is introduced into a fractionation zone to produce a low boiling fraction containing mercaptan sulfur compounds and olefins, a mid boiling fraction containing thiophene and olefins, and a high boiling fraction containing sulfur compounds. The low boiling fraction containing mercaptan sulfur compounds is contacted with an aqueous alkaline solution to selectively remove mercaptan sulfur compounds. The mid boiling fraction containing thiophene is extracted to produce a raffinate stream containing olefins and having a reduced sulfur content relative to the mid boiling fraction and a hydrocarbonaceous stream rich in thiophene.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing very low sulfur content hydrocarbon streams by contacting a hydrocarbon feedstream with an aqueous alkaline treatment stream which has been regenerated by the biological conversion of sulfur compounds to elemental sulfur. The process is characterized by the step of contacting the partially regenerated aqueous treatment stream with a hydrocarbon wash stream to remove low levels of residual elemental sulfur suspended in the partially regenerated treatment stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated, continuous process for the removal of organically bound sulfur (e.g., mercaptans, sulfides and thiophenes) comprising the steps of contacting a heavy oil, sodium hydroxide, hydrogen and water at a temperature of from about 380.degree. C. to 450.degree. C. to partially desulfurize the heavy oil and to form sodium sulfide, contacting said sodium sulfide via steam stripping to convert the sodium sulfide to sodium hydroxide and the sulfur recovered as hydrogen sulfide. The sodium hydroxide is recirculated for reuse. The partially desulfurized, dewatered heavy oil is treated with sodium metal under desulfurizing conditions, typically at a temperature of from about 340.degree. C. to about 450.degree. C., under a hydrogen pressure of at least about 50 psi to essentially desulfurize the oil, and form sodium sulfide. Optionally, the sodium salt generated can be regenerated to sodium metal using regeneration technology.

Abstract: A process for hydrotreating petroleum fractions early in the refining process by employing catalyst prepared as components of distillation structures or as contained beds of catalyst in atmospheric distillation columns and or side draw columns. For example, a crude petroleum is hydrotreated by taking side streams from an atmospheric distillation column and the vacuum gas oil from a vacuum distillation column which are individually fed to separate desulfurizations, preferably in distillation column reactors containing a hydrodesulfurization catalyst. The overheads from each of the distillation column reactors is returned to the atmospheric column and the bottoms from each distillation column reactor is withdrawn as hydrotreated product. The process may also be used for upgrading the effluent from a fluid catalytic cracking unit, preferably operated as a catalytic distillation reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous in-situ process for the removal from heavy oils, of organically bound sulfur in the form of mercaptans, sulfides and thiophenes, heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and oxygen and metals selected from the group consisting of nickel, vanadium and iron, comprising the steps of (a) contacting a heavy oil with aqueous sodium hydroxide at a temperature of about 380.degree. to about 450.degree. C. for a time sufficient to form sodium sulfide; (b) contacting said sodium sulfide of step (a) with water and a transition metal for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form transition metal sulfide, sodium hydroxide, hydrogen and impurities; and (c) recirculating said sodium hydroxide from step (b) to step (a) and removing said transition metal sulfide and said impurities, wherein said impurities are iron, vanadium and nickel. Optionally, molecular hydrogen may be added in the first step.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the removal of sulfur from petroleum fractions such as FCC gasoline by employing a solvent selected from the group consisting of a polyalkylene glycol, polyalkylene glycol ether, and mixtures thereof and having a molecular weight less than 400. The process is useful for saving energy, saving hydrogen consumption, and retaining octane. By requiring only the mild hydrotreatment of an extracted or absorbed stream concentrated with the sulfur impurities, the sulfur impurities are removed without the loss of octane resulting from conversion of either high octane olefins or aromatic components. In addition, the extract stream is a significantly smaller stream than the original feedstream.

Abstract: This invention is a process for the upgrading of distillate feeds. A batch of supported hydroprocessing catalyst is placed in a reaction zone, which is usually a fixed bed reactor. The hydroprocessing catalyst comprises an effective amount of a noble metal or metals and has a specific activity. Both low aromatic diesel and jet fuel may be produced in separate blocks over the same catalyst batch, using different feeds and often different conditions. The activity of the catalyst is restored each time the feed is switched. When production is switched from jet fuel to low aromatics diesel, activity may be regained more quickly by holding the catalyst at a higher temperature than the reaction temperature for a specific period of time prior to dropping the temperature to the reaction temperature. Switching from one feed to the other may continue for about one year before the catalyst batch is changed. A dual catalyst system may alternatively be employed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing residual sulfur from a hydrotreated naphtha feedstock. The feedstock is contacted with molecular hydrogen under reforming conditions in the presence of a less sulfur sensitive reforming catalyst to convert trace sulfur compounds to H.sub.2 S, and to form a first effluent. The first effluent is contacted with a solid sulfur sorbent to remove the H.sub.2 S and form a second effluent. The second effluent is then contacted with a highly selective reforming catalyst under severe reforming conditions. Also disclosed is a method using a potassium containing sulfur sorbent made from nitrogen-free potassium compounds.

Abstract: A process for desulfurizing a hydrocarbon stream which includes at least 50 ppmw sulfur in the form of organic sulfur compounds, and C.sub.5 + hydrocarbons including benzene. The hydrocarbon stream is contacted in the absence of added hydrogen with a fluidized bed of an acidic catalyst having a structure of ZSM-5, ZSM-11, ZSM-22, ZSM-23, ZSM-35, ZSM-48, MCM-22, MCM-36, MCM-49, zeolite Y, zeolite beta or mixtures thereof to convert the organic sulfur compounds to hydrogen sulfide. The catalyst contacts the hydrocarbon stream at a pressure of from 0.0 psig to about 400 psig, a temperature of from about 400.degree. F. to about 900.degree. F., and a weight hourly space velocity of from about 0.1 hr..sup.-1 to about 10.0 hr..sup.-1. Thereafter, the hydrogen sulfide is removed from the hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: A process for desulfurizing a hydrocarbon stream which includes at least 100 ppmw sulfur in the form of organic sulfur compounds, and C.sub.4 -hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon stream is contacted in the absence of added hydrogen with a fluidized bed of an acidic catalyst having a structure of ZSM-5, ZSM-11, ZSM-22, ZSM-23, ZSM-35, ZSM-48, MCM-22, MCM-36, MCM-49, zeolite Y, zeolite beta or mixtures thereof to convert the organic sulfur compounds to hydrogen sulfide. The catalyst contacts the hydrocarbon stream at a pressure of from 0.0 psig to about 400 psig, a temperature of from about 400.degree. F. to about 900.degree. F., and a weight hourly space velocity of from about 0.1 hr..sup.-1 to about 10.0 hr..sup.-1. Thereafter, the hydrogen sulfide is removed from the hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: Provided is a method for removing residual sulfur from a hydrotreated naphtha feedstock. The process comprises contacting the naphtha feedstock with a first solid sulfur sorbent comprising a metal on a support to thereby form a first effluent. The effluent is then contacted with a sulfur conversion catalyst comprising a Group VIII metal in the presence of hydrogen, with the resulting effluent being contacted with a second solid sulfur sorbent containing a Group IA or IIA metal, to thereby lower the sulfur content of the feedstock to less than 10 ppb, and to as low as 1 ppb or less. The feedstock can then be safely used with highly sulfur sensitive zeolitic reforming catalysts without adversely affecting the useful life of the catalyst.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide is removed from a water-in-oil emulsion by treatment of the emulsion with sulfur dioxide to convert the hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur. The elemental sulfur formed is distributed between the oil phase and the aqueous phase of the emulsion.

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: We provide reverse-graded catalyst systems which are capable of removing metals and sulfur from a hydrocarbon feedstock. They comprise two or more catalyst layers in which at least two successive catalyst layers characterized as having decreasing desulfurization activity, and increasing average macropore diameter in the direction of hydrocarbon flow. We also disclose a process for using them.