Removal of sulfur-containing compounds from liquid hydrocarbon streams
First Claim
1. A process for treating a hydrocarbon feed stream containing an organic sulfur compound, the process comprising the steps of:
- (a) contacting the hydrocarbon feed stream with an oxidizing agent at oxidation conditions, thereby yielding an effluent stream containing an oxidized organic sulfur compound, and;
(b) contacting the effluent stream with a solid decomposition catalyst consisting essentially of a solid acid or base selected from the group consisting of layered double hydroxides, molecular sieves, alumina, silica, zirconia, and mixtures thereof at decomposition conditions effective to decompose the oxidized organic sulfur compound, thereby yielding a treated hydrocarbon stream and a volatile sulfur compound.
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Abstract
A novel process effective for the removal of organic sulfur compounds from liquid hydrocarbons is disclosed. The process more specifically addresses the removal of thiophenes and thiophene derivatives from a number of petroleum fractions, including gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene. In the first step of the process, the liquid hydrocarbon is subjected to oxidation conditions in order to oxidize at least some of the thiophene compounds to sulfones. Then, these sulfones can be catalytically decomposed to hydrocarbons (e.g. hydroxybiphenyl) and volatile sulfur compounds (e.g. sulfur dioxide). The hydrocarbon decomposition products remain in the treated liquid as valuable blending components, while the volatile sulfur compounds are easily separable from the treated liquid using well-known techniques such as flash vaporization or distillation.
100 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A process for treating a hydrocarbon feed stream containing an organic sulfur compound, the process comprising the steps of:
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(a) contacting the hydrocarbon feed stream with an oxidizing agent at oxidation conditions, thereby yielding an effluent stream containing an oxidized organic sulfur compound, and;
(b) contacting the effluent stream with a solid decomposition catalyst consisting essentially of a solid acid or base selected from the group consisting of layered double hydroxides, molecular sieves, alumina, silica, zirconia, and mixtures thereof at decomposition conditions effective to decompose the oxidized organic sulfur compound, thereby yielding a treated hydrocarbon stream and a volatile sulfur compound. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification