Abstract: An aqueous solution of spent alkaline reagent containing alkali metal mercaptides obtained from the treatment of a mercaptan-containing (i.e., sour) hydrocarbon fluid with an alkali metal hydroxide, e.g., sodium hydroxide (caustic) or potassium hydroxide, is contacted with hydrogen peroxide to convert at least a substantial amount of the alkali metal mercaptides to alkali metal sulfates and carbonates thereby substantially reducing the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the aqueous spent alkaline reagent solution.

Abstract: In a process wherein hydrogen sulfide is converted to elemental sulfur in the presence of oxygen, an improvement is made by employing an alcoholic solution of an alkali metal hydroxide, free of iron-group salts or other heterogeneous catalysts. High yields of pure sulfur are obtained from such reactions begun at room temperature, without a requirement for heterogeneous catalysts or troublesome intermediates such as sulfur dioxide.

Abstract: Water is removed from an alkaline solution used to extract mercaptans from a hydrocarbon stream by contacting a portion of the alkaline solution with a warm hydrocarbon vapor stream. The portion is removed from an extraction zone and reintroduced into an oxidation zone. This process flow arrangement has operational and cost advantages compared to removal from a settling zone and passage of the stripped warm alkaline solution into the extraction zone.

Abstract: Water is removed from an alkaline solution used to extract mercaptans from a hydrocarbon stream by contacting the alkaline solution with a warm hydrocarbon vapor stream. The relatively warm and concentrated alkaline solution produced in this manner is then passed into an oxidation zone in admixture with a mercaptan-rich alkaline solution withdrawn from an extraction zone. This process flow has operational and cost advantages compared to the passage of the stripped warm alkaline solution into the extraction zone.

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: 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: 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: Circulating oil used for removal of sulfur in sour gas wells is contacted with an aqueous solution of a lower polysulfide of an alkali metal or ammonia to form a higher polysulfide of the alkali metal or ammonia, and the oil is separated from the higher polysulfide. The higher polysulfide is converted to lower polysulfide by precipitating part of the sulfur contained therein, and the lower polysulfide is recycled for oil desulfurization.

Abstract: Hydrated alkali metal sulfides used to remove sulfur from fossil fuels to form alkali metal polysulfides which are recycled to alkali metal sulfides and elemental sulfur by thermal or thermal reduced pressure decomposition of the alkali metal polysulfides or by conversion of the hydrolysis products entirely by H.sub.2 S.

Abstract: Alkali metal sulfides are regenerated from alkali metal hydrosulfides which are produced as a result of the hydroconversion of heavy carbonaceous feeds. The regeneration is effected by contacting the alkali metal hydrosulfide with a metal oxide at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Alkali metal sulfides are regenerated from alkali metal hydrosulfides which are produced as a result of the hydroconversion of heavy carbonaceous feeds. The regeneration is effected by treating the spent solids from a hydroconversion reactor, said solids containing an alkali metal hydrosulfide, with water and carbon dioxide at a temperature and pressure sufficient to convert about 50% of the alkali metal hydrosulfide to an alkali metal carbonate, and heating a mixture of said alkali metal carbonate and unreacted alkali metal hydrosulfide with a quantity of coke to an elevated temperature sufficient to cause reaction of the hydrosulfide with the carbonate whereby an alkali metal sulfide is formed.

Abstract: Sulfur-containing petroleum oil feedstocks which include heavy hydrocarbon constituents undergo simultaneous desulfurization and hydroconversion by contacting and reacting such feedstocks with sodamide in the presence of hydrogen and at elevated temperatures. The mixture of reaction products resulting from the above procedure is separated to give a sodium sulfur salt by-product, and a petroleum oil product which has been substantially desulfurized and demetallized, as well as being significantly improved as indicated by a reduced Conradson carbon content and an increased API gravity relative to the feedstock. Sodamide is regenerated from the sodium sulfur salt by-product and can be recycled for reaction with additional feedstock.

Abstract: Sulfur-containing petroleum oil feedstocks which include heavy hydrocarbon constituents undergo simultaneous desulfurization and hydroconversion by contacting and reacting such feedstocks with sodamide in the presence of hydrogen and at elevated temperatures. The mixture of reaction products resulting from the above procedure is separated to give a sodium sulfur salt by-product, and a petroleum oil product which has been substantially desulfurized and demetallized, as well as being significantly improved as indicated by a reduced Conradson carbon content and an increased API gravity relative to the feedstock. Sodamide is regenerated from the sodium sulfur salt by-product and can be recycled for reaction with additional feedstock.

Abstract: A process for the simultaneous desulfurization and hydroconversion of heavy carbonaceous feeds, including various sulfur-containing heavy petroleum oils, is disclosed. These feedstocks are contacted with potassium sulfide in a conversion zone maintained at elevated temperatures and in the presence of added hydrogen. In this manner, the feeds are substantially desulfurized, and significant upgrading of these feeds is also obtained as demonstrated by decreased Conradson carbon, increased API gravity, and the conversion of substantial portion of the 1,050.degree. F.+ portion of these feeds. In a preferred embodiment, such a process is disclosed employing a combination of potassium sulfide and sodium sulfide, and in particular these processes include procedures for the regeneration of the sulfides and their recycle to the conversion zone.

Abstract: Water is removed from an alkaline solution used to extract relatively high concentrations of mercaptans from a hydrocarbon stream by stripping the alkaline solution with a hydrocarbon vapor stream. The vapor stream is then admixed with the oxygen-containing off-gas stream of the process to enrich the off-gas stream above its explosive limit.

Abstract: High efficiency in liquid-liquid extraction operations, such as extracting mercaptans from hydrocarbons with caustic, is obtained over a wide range of flow rates through a single extraction column by the provision of an intermediate product drawoff means located between a downstream section of extraction trays having greatest efficiency at low throughputs and an upstream section of trays having peak efficiency at high throughputs. A second product stream is removed after passing through the low flow rate trays and is blended with the stream from the intermediate drawoff means.

Abstract: Water is removed from an alkaline solution used to extract relatively high concentrations of mercaptans from a hydrocarbon stream by stripping the alkaline solution with a hydrocarbon vapor stream. The vapor stream is then admixed with the oxygen-containing off-gas stream of the process to enrich the off-gas stream above its explosive limit.

Abstract: Sulfur-containing petroleum oil feedstocks which include heavy hydrocarbon constituents undergo simultaneous desulfurization and hydroconversion by contacting and reacting such feedstocks with sodamide in the presence of hydrogen and at elevated temperatures. The mixture of reaction products resulting from the above procedure is separated to give a sodium sulfur salt by-product, and a petroleum oil product which has been substantially desulfurized and demetallized, as well as being significantly improved as indicated by a reduced Conradson carbon content and an increased API gravity relative to the feedstock. Sodamide is regenerated from the sodium sulfur salt by-product and can be recycled for reaction with additional feedstock.

Abstract: Heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks, such as atmospheric and vacuum residua, heavy crude oils and the like, are converted to predominantly liquid hydrocarbon products by contacting said feedstocks in the presence of hydrogen with a regenerable alkali metal carbonate molten medium containing a glass-forming oxide, such as boron oxide, at a temperature in the range of from above about the melting point of said molten medium to about 1000.degree.F. and at elevated pressures. Preferably, the regenerable molten medium comprises an oxide of boron in combination with a mixture of sodium and lithium carbonate or a mixture of sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and lithium carbonate. The carbonaceous materials (coke) which are formed in the molten medium during the above-described conversion process are gasified by contacting said carbonaceous materials with a gaseous stream containing oxygen, steam, or carbon dioxide at temperatures of from above about the melting point of said medium to about 2000.degree.F.