Patent ID: 8080156
Filing Date: 2011-12-20
Classification: C10G

Abstract:
1. A process comprising: separating a crude oil stream into a gaseous hydrocarbon stream and a liquid hydrocarbon stream at a recovery unit at a temperature of at least 50° C.; removing mercury from the gaseous hydrocarbon stream to provide a treated gas stream at a mercury removal unit; contacting the treated gas stream with the liquid hydrocarbon stream to transfer mercury from the liquid hydrocarbon stream to the treated gas stream and thereby form a treated liquid stream and a mercury rich gas stream at a contactor at a temperature range greater than 150° C.; removing mercury from the mercury rich gas stream; wherein the recovery unit, the mercury removal unit and the contactor are separate units and the contactor removes propane and butane in a stripping zone; wherein mercury removal is greater than 90%; and wherein the contacting of the treated gas stream with the liquid hydrocarbon stream occurs in a vessel that provides direct contact of the treated gas stream with the liquid hydrocarbon stream without contacting any other materials or devices.