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U.S. Department of Energy
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Treatment of mercaptan-containing streams utilizing nitrogen based promoters

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7058301
An improved method is described of sweetening a sour hydrocarbon distillate having mercaptan compounds therein by the catalytic oxidation of the mercaptan compounds to disulfide compounds, wherein the distillate is contacted with a caustic solution, an oxidizing agent and a metal chelate mercaptan oxidation catalyst for a period of time sufficient to oxidize at least a portion of the mercaptan compounds to disulfide compounds, the improvement comprising contacting the distillate. The caustic solution, the oxidizing agent and the metal chelate mercaptan oxidation catalyst in the presence of from about 1 pm to about 50 ppm by weight, based upon the distillate, of a nitrogen-based promoter, wherein the nitrogen-based promotor comprises a non-electrolytic, substantially sulfur free organic compound has at least one nitrogen atom.
Assignee:
Merichem Co., Houston, TX
Patent Number(s):
US 4753722
OSTI ID:
7058301
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English