Patent ID: 9422483
Filing Date: 2016-08-23
CPC Classification: C10G

Claim Text:
1. A method for treating hydrocarbon streams containing mercaptan compounds comprising the steps of: contacting a first, light hydrocarbon stream comprising mercaptan compounds with a first alkaline caustic solution to remove the mercaptan compounds from the first hydrocarbon stream and generate a second alkaline caustic solution comprising mercaptan compounds; wherein the light hydrocarbon stream comprises greater than about 80 mass-% C oxidizing the mercaptan compounds in the second alkaline caustic solution to generate a third alkaline solution comprising a first concentration of disulfide compounds; separating a portion of the disulfide compounds in the third alkaline solution to form a fourth alkaline caustic solution comprising a second concentration of disulfide compounds, wherein the first concentration of disulfide compounds is greater than the second concentration of disulfide compounds; and contacting the fourth alkaline solution with a second, heavy hydrocarbon stream comprising greater than about 80 mass-% naphtha compounds and further comprising mercaptan compounds to remove the mercaptan compounds from the second hydrocarbon stream, remove the disulfide compounds from the fourth alkaline caustic solution, and generate the first alkaline caustic solution.