Patent ID: 7713409

Claim:
A method for reducing both the level of elemental sulfur and total sulfur of a hydrocarbon stream containing same, which method comprises: (a) mixing with said stream, water, a caustic represented by the formula MOH where M is selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, NH 4 , and mixtures thereof, a carboxylic acid surfactant, at least one metal sulfide of a metal selected from Groups 1a and 2a of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and at least one aromatic mercaptan, the resulting mixture having a hydrocarbon phase and an aqueous phase, wherein said mixture is used in an effective amount and under effective conditions so that the elemental sulfur reacts with said at least one metal sulfide to form the corresponding metal polysulfide that is soluble in the aqueous phase; and (b) separating said aqueous phase containing said metal polysulfide component, and said hydrocarbon phase that is substantially reduced in both elemental sulfur and total sulfur.