Abstract: A method of removing metal alkaryl sulfonates from a hydrocarbon solution is disclosed. Briefly, the method comprises (a) contacting the hydrocarbon solution containing metal alkaryl sulfonates with an aqueous basic solution containing a "recovery" surfactant, (b) forming a hydrocarbon phase and an aqueous phase containing metal alkaryl sulfonates and (c) separating the hydrocarbon phase and the aqueous phase.

Abstract: Purity of hydrocarbon streams is increased by contacting with stable oxides of calcium, titanium, zinc, or zirconium prior to passage to a catalytic conversion process. In one embodiment, the stable metal oxides are preactivated by heating with vaporous hydrocarbon at an elevated temperature which is effective in extending the temperature at which metal oxides are subsequently effective for purification of hydrocarbon streams.

Abstract: In the purification of hydrocarbon streams containing HF by chemical reaction with potassium hydroxide, a small portion of the hydrocarbon stream containing HF is passed through a small test bed of solid KOH; and when excess HF is present in the hydrocarbon stream to be purified, the temperature of the test bed increases significantly and rapidly and the flow of hydrocarbon is discontinued to the main treater responsive to the temperature in the test bed thereby preventing the treater temperature from exceeding a preselected maximum allowable value. In one embodiment, the main hydrocarbon charge is by-passed around the main KOH treater and introduced into the effluent from the treater; and in another embodiment, the hydrocarbon charge is returned to a settling zone following alkylation and prior to separation facilities utilized to process the hydrocarbon phase.

Abstract: A dry liquid propane substantially free from HF, organic fluorides and water is produced by bringing into intimate contact with a sodium hydroxide solution containing not more than about 5 percent by weight NaOH a liquid propane stream obtained by heating a stream of the propane containing organic fluoride and bringing said stream in contact with a defluorinating agent, e.g., aluminum fluoride, to produce a stream of propane containing HF, the stream of propane containing organic fluorides having been obtained from a hydrogen fluoride stripper operated in conjunction with a depropanizing zone wherein an HF alkylation hydrocarbon product stream or effluent is depropanized. In an embodiment only a relatively small volume of propane containing HF is contacted with the aqueous sodium hydroxide solution whereupon the intermingled fluids are immediately passed into a body of settling propane and aqueous sodium hydroxide solution in a settling zone or vessel.

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.