Patent · US Expired

Process to upgrade crude oils by destruction of naphthenic acids, removal of sulfur and removal of salts

US5985137A · kind A · utility

31Cited by
3References
32Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 26, 1998
Grant dateNov 16, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 26, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC10G19/073
  • WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method for upgrading an oil stream containing naphthenic acid and sulfur contaminants is described. In this method, an oil stream with naphthenic acid and sulfur contaminants is upgraded by the following steps. First, the oil stream is mixed with an alkaline earth metal oxide in an amount effective to convert substantially all of the naphthenic acid contaminants to non-acidic compounds and alkaline earth metal carbonate and also to convert substantially all of the sulfur contaminants to alkaline earth metal sulfide. Then, the mixture is heated under a pressure sufficient to prevent vaporization of the mixture to a temperature sufficient and for a time sufficient to react the naphthenic acid contaminants with the alkaline earth oxide to form the corresponding non-acidic compounds and alkaline earth carbonates. In the meantime, substantially all of the sulfur contaminants react with the alkaline earth oxide to form the alkaline earth sulfide. After the desired reaction is complete, the alkaline earth carbonate and the alkaline earth sulfide is separated from the oil stream. Upgraded oil is thus obtained.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.