Patent ID: 7175755
Filing Date: 2007-02-13
Classification: C10G

Abstract:
1. A process for the extractive oxidation of contaminants from raw hydrocarbon streams, rich in heteroatomic polar compounds, by oxidation of sulfur, nitrogen, conjugated dienes and other unsaturated compounds in the presence of a peroxide/organic acid couple, wherein said process comprises the following steps: a) providing an aqueous solution of a peroxide/organic acid couple; b) oxidizing sulfur and nitrogen compounds present in said raw hydrocarbon streams by admixing, under vigorous stirring, said aqueous solution, thereby obtaining an oxidant solution, the weight percent of the peroxide and organic acid based on raw hydrocarbon being at least 3 for both the peroxide and the organic acid, at a pH between 1.0 and 6.0, under a temperature ranging from ambient temperature at the start of the reaction to a final temperature of 60 to 80° C., which is achieved by external heating, for a period of time required to effect the auto extraction oxidation reaction and obtaining a hydrocarbon stream wherefrom mainly sulfur and nitrogen compounds have been partially oxidized and simultaneously extracted by the aqueous oxidant, yielding a lower aqueous phase and an upper oxidized hydrocarbon phase; c) separating the upper oxidized hydrocarbon phase, neutralizing and water washing same, filtering and drying; d) recovering treated, odorless, clear yellowish and stable hydrocarbon phase wherefrom the total nitrogen compounds have been removed up to 88.1% by weight, basic nitrogen compounds have been removed up to 99.1% by weight, and sulfur compounds have been removed up to 23% by weight, followed by olefin removal limited to 6.5 weight %, all percentages being based on the original feedstock content.