Patent ID: 6974542

Claim:
A facility for processing hydrocarbons utilizing solvent to remove contaminants from the hydrocarbons, the solvent containing foaming agents, comprising: a) a fluid-liquid contactor having a hydrocarbon input, a hydrocarbon output, a lean solvent input and a rich solvent output; b) a solvent recycler connected between the lean solvent input and the rich solvent output, the solvent recycler processing rich solvent exiting through the rich solvent output into lean solvent for introduction into the contactor by way of the lean solvent input; c) a column having a top end and having a solvent inlet in a first location, the column having a gas inlet in a second location that is below the first position, wherein gas bubbles up through the solvent in the column, the column having a solvent output in a third location located below the second location, the solvent input and solvent output being connected to the solvent recycler; d) an outlet in the column located at a liquid surface level of the column, wherein contaminants can be removed through the outlet from the column.