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 sulfide reagent. The present invention employs the use of a copper sulfide reagent to convert alkali metal hydrosulfides in the generation or regeneration of the alkali hydroxide compounds which may be utilized in a desulfurization process for hydrocarbon feedstreams. Additionally, in preferred embodiments of the processes disclosed herein, carbonates which form as byproducts of the desulfurization process, and are non-regenerable with copper sulfide, are removed from the alkali hydroxide stream.

Abstract: After desulfurizing a hydrocarbon feedstream using an alkali metal reagent, the hydrocarbon feedstream can include particles of spent alkali metal salts. The spent alkali metal salts can be separated from the hydrocarbon feedstream and regenerated to form an alkali metal reagent, such as a alkali hydroxide or alkali sulfide. The regeneration process can pass through an intermediate stage of forming an alkali carbonate by successive reactions with carbon dioxide and calcium oxide. The calcium oxide can also be regenerated.

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: The liquid hydrocarbon stream including COS is introduced via line 1 into membrane contactor CM to be placed in contact, through membrane M, with the aqueous alkanolamine solution arriving via line 3. The COS contained in the hydrocarbon stream is absorbed by the aqueous alkanolamine solution. The liquid hydrocarbons from which the COS has been removed are evacuated from CM via line 2. The aqueous solution containing COS is sent via line 4 to zone R to be regenerated. The compounds released during regeneration, particularly COS and COS-derived products, are evacuated from zone R via line 5. The regenerated aqueous alkanolamine solution is recycled via line 3 into membrane contactor CM.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating naphtha, such as catalytically cracked naphtha, in order to remove acidic impurities, such as mercaptans. In particular, the invention relates to a method for mercaptans having a molecular weight of about C4 (C4H10S=90 g/mole) and higher, such as recombinant mercaptans.

Abstract: The improved process and apparatus of the present invention for extracting high purity aromatics from gasoline using a glycol solvent based extraction process decrease liquid-vapor flashing, reduce reflux flow rate, and use heat of enthalpy produces at one point as a source of energy used at another point, decreasing energy consumption while significantly increasing purity and amount of product obtained.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for disposal of noxious waste products generated in petroleum refining including spent caustic solution and concentrated sulfur effluent from treating of petroleum fractions to remove sulfur therefrom. Essentially the spent caustic solution and the concentrated sulfur effluent is incinerated in the presence of air in order to form the oxides of sulfur which react with the incinerated caustic to form alkali metal sulfides.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for treating alkaline effluents resulting from petroleum processing by incinerating the effluents in the presence of oxygen and a sufficient amount of hydrogen sulfide fuel to convert the alkaline material to the corresponding sulfate.

Abstract: Carbonyl sulfide is removed from propane and other similar liquefied petroleum gas products by mixing liquid methanol with the untreated liquefied gas and then contacting the liquid mixture with solid potassium hydroxide.

Abstract: Dialkyl disulfide waste, such as that formed in a caustic wash process for removing mercaptans from a hydrocarbon stream, is converted to hydrogen sulfide and valuable hydrocarbons by catalytic contact with a highly siliceous zeolite catalyst exemplified by ZSM-5. The hydrogen sulfide in turn is readily converted to marketable sulfur, thus alleviating the waste disposal problem.

Abstract: Petroleum crude and certain liquid distillate fractions derived therefrom, and other sulfur containing fuels or residues are reduced in sulfur content by intimately contacting the fuel or residues with alkanol solutions of alkali metal hydrosulfides, at temperatures and pressures from ambient up to the critical temperature of the alkanol for from 1 to 20 minutes. Thereafter, the fuel is caused to separate from the alkanol solution by the addition of water. A liquid-liquid separation separates desulfurized fuel from the alkanol solution. Hydrogen sulfide formed in the process is used to re-generate alkali metal hydrosulfide for use in desulfurizing additional petroleum fuel.