Abstract: The use of neutral aqueous solutions of glyoxal (pH approximately 6 to 8.5) scavenges H2S that is present in natural gas and in oil better than glyoxal alone or base alone. The resulting scavenger combination significantly increases the reaction rate and the overall scavenging efficiency, i.e. capacity over glyoxal used alone. A buffer may be optionally used. In another embodiment, the combination of non-nitrogen-containing surfactants and glyoxal results in a significant increase in the reaction rate and the overall scavenging efficiency, i.e. capacity as compared to glyoxal used alone.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for reducing corrosion during removal of one or more sulfur-containing hydrocarbons from a gas. Generally, the process includes producing an effluent including a caustic, one or more hydrocarbons, one or more sulfur compounds, and a gas from an oxidation vessel; sending the effluent to a stack of a disulfide separator; passing the gas, including oxygen and one or more sulfur compounds, through the stack; and passing a stream including one or more hydrocarbons to the stack at a temperature of less than about 38° C. for absorbing the one or more sulfur compounds. Typically, the stack includes one or more walls surrounding a void and adapted to receive a fluid including one or more phases, a packed bed positioned within the void, and a distributor including one or more risers and one or more compartments coupled to a substantially horizontal member forming a plurality of apertures there-through.

Abstract: Oil soluble catalysts are used in a process to hydrodesulfurize petroleum feedstock having a high concentration of sulfur-containing compounds and convert the feedstock to a higher value product. The catalyst complex includes at least one attractor species and at least one catalytic metal that are bonded to a plurality of organic ligands that make the catalyst complex oil-soluble. The attractor species selectively attracts the catalyst to sulfur sites in sulfur-containing compounds in the feedstock where the catalytic metal can catalyze the removal of sulfur. Because the attractor species selectively attracts the catalysts to sulfur sites, non-productive, hydrogen consuming side reactions are reduced and greater rates of hydrodesulfurization are achieved while consuming less hydrogen per unit sulfur removed.

Abstract: A method for reducing the level of elemental sulfur from sulfur-containing hydrocarbon streams as well as reducing the level of total sulfur in such streams. Preferred hydrocarbon streams include fuel streams such as naphtha streams that are transported through a pipeline. The sulfur-containing hydrocarbon stream is contacted with a mixture of water, a caustic, a surfactant, at least one metal sulfide, and optionally an aromatic mercaptan. This results in an aqueous phase and a hydrocarbon phase containing reduced levels of both elemental sulfur and total sulfur.

Abstract: A method for reducing the level of elemental sulfur from sulfur-containing hydrocarbon streams as well as reducing the level of total sulfur in such streams. Preferred hydrocarbon streams include fuel streams such as naphtha and distillate streams that are transported through a pipeline. The sulfur-containing hydrocarbon stream is blended with an aqueous solution of water, a caustic, and at least one metal sulfide thereby resulting in an organic phase and an aqueous phase. The blended stream is then passed through a bed of solids having a suitable surface area so that a substantial amount of the sulfur moieties are removed by the aqueous phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to improve the cetane number and emissions characteristics of a distillate feedstock by increasing the oxygen content of the feedstock by contacting the feedstock with an oxygen-containing gas in the oxidation zone at oxidation conditions in the presence of an oxidation catalyst comprising a Group VIII metal and a basic support.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing hydrocarbon fuels with ultra-low levels of sulfur. The method involves catalytic oxidation of the sulfurous compounds within the hydrocarbon fuel, followed by extraction of the oxidized (and polarized) sulfurous compounds using a polar solvent. The present invention teaches the involvement of ethanol during catalytic oxidation. In this way, the oxidation catalyst has a dual-role in the oxidation process: firstly the catalyst directly oxidizes the sulfurous compounds, and secondly the oxidation catalyst converts of a small portion of the alcohol to the corresponding peroxy acid, which also helps to drive the oxidation process.

Abstract: A method for treating compounds which contain reactive sulfur is disclosed, wherein the treatment produces compounds which contain sulfur in a non reactive form. The method is based on the use of an oxidizing compound selected from the group consisting of water soluble inorganic persulfates, water soluble inorganic and organic adducts of hydrogen peroxide and mixtures thereof. The method is particularly useful in preventing stress corrosion cracking of stainless steel and in preventing auto-ignition of pyrophoric iron sulfide.

Abstract: Sulfur-containing carbonaceous materials are desulfurized by reaction with a mixture of an oxidizing agent and a carbonyl compound under alkaline conditions at a temperature ranging from ambient temperature to about 250.degree. F. and a pressure of about 1 atmosphere to 2 atmospheres. The products of the reaction are a desulfurized carbonaceous material in which the sulfur content is less than about 1%, and gaseous sulfur compounds. The carbonyl compound can be recovered and reused.

Abstract: The copper corrosiveness of organic sulfides is reduced by treating them with an alkali metal-containing or alkaline earth metal-containing substance capable of dissolving elemental sulfur (e.g., sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide, etc.). The process is conducted in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst in an aqueous liquid reaction medium. Experiments have shown that it is possible by use of this process to reduce the copper corrosiveness to a level below that exhibited by a product formed by treating the same initial organic sulfide in the same way but in the absence of a phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing mercaptans from highly olefinic feed streams by extraction with an aqueous alkaline solution. The aqueous solution is preferably regenerated by oxidation of extracted mercaptans to disulfides. The invention employs two extraction steps performed on the aqueous solution to limit the passage of olefins or acetylenes into the mercaptan conversion zone and to limit the passage of mercaptans and/or oxygenates into the primary extraction zone.

Abstract: A process for hydrotreating carbonaceous materials is disclosed. The carbonaceous material is contacted with steam and with empirical hydrates of alkali metal hydrosulfides, monosulfides, or polysulfides. The process hydrocracks, hydrogenates, denitrogenates, demetallizes, and desulfurizes. In a preferred embodiment, hydrogen sulfide is co-fed to the reaction zone.

Abstract: A process for the removal of hydrogen sulphide from gases or liquid hydrocarbons, comprising contacting the gas or liquid hydrocarbon with an aqueous alkaline solution, preferably having a pH value of 8 to 10, comprising(a) an anthraquinone disulphonic acid or a water-soluble sulphonamide thereof(b) a compound of a metal which can exist in at least two valency states and(c) a sequestering agent comprising a compound of formula I: ##STR1## wherein R is an aliphatic residue containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms and which is optionally substituted or interrupted by one or more hydroxy, or carboxyl groups; a carbonyl group, a phenyl group; or an aralkyl group containing 7 to 10 carbon atoms; and n is an integer of from 1 to 4; as well as salts, especially alkali metal and ammonium salts, and esters of compounds of formula I.