Method of removing contaminants from petroleum distillates

US6929737B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Miami University · US

Inventors

• Jeffrey H. Sherman · Vero Beach, US
• Richard T. Taylor · Oxford, US
• Amanda L. Hofacker · Oxford, US
• James W. Hershberger · Oxford, US
• Garrett M. Conn · Hinckley, US
• William A. Gorman · Port Aransas, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 2, 2001
• Grant date: Aug 16, 2005
• Expiry date: Mar 4, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C10G2400/10
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

In a method of removing acidic compounds, color, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, and for removing or converting hydrocarbons containing heteroatoms from petroleum distillates, phase transfer catalyst is employed to facilitate the transfer of inorganic or organic bases to the substrate of the distillate. An inorganic or organic base, a phase transfer catalyst selected from the group including quaternary ammonium salts, polyol ethers and crown ethers, and used oil distillate are mixed and heated. Thereafter, contaminants are removed from the used oil distillate through distillation. A solvent is then mixed with the resulting distillate to extract contaminants therefrom. The solvent is recovered and distilled to separate the contaminants therefrom, and is then reused. The petroleum distillate having the contaminants separated therefrom is also distilled to remove any remaining solvent therefrom, with the recovered solvent being reused.