Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a process for reducing organic acids in petroleum feeds containing organic acids comprising: (a) thermally treating a petroleum feed containing organic acids in a thermal reaction zone comprising a plurality of stages in series, at a temperature and pressure sufficient to decompose at least a portion of said organic acids while sweeping said plurality of stages with an inert gas, to produce a volatile organic acid containing hydrocarbon fraction and a non-volatile hydrocarbon fraction; (b) treating said volatile hydrocarbon fraction to neutralize at least a portion of said organic acids therein and to produce a treated volatile hydrocarbon fraction; (c) collecting said non-volatile hydrocarbon fraction from said thermal reaction zone; and (d) blending said treated volatile hydrocarbon fraction of step (b) with said collected non-volatile hydrocarbon fraction.

Abstract: Acidic halides, especially chlorides, are removed from liquid hydrocarbons such as catalytic reformate by contact with solid caustic such as a bed of NaOH pellets covered with a thin film of brine. Hydration of reformate improves removal when large amounts of chlorides are present in reformate. Halides in liquid hydrocarbon are recovered as a brine phase, which can be only slightly alkaline. Hydration of reformate can be controlled based on pH of brine removed from the bed.

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: Liquid propane containing HF is admixed in an eductor or sparger with aqueous alkaline solution, e.g., 2-5 percent aqueous NaOH maintained in a treating vessel, the eductor or sparger being located within a body of said alkaline treating agent in said vessel, thus to avoid explosion.