Process for removing sulphur from liquid hydrocarbons

US8936719B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ULTRACLEAN FUEL PTY LIMITED · AU

Inventors

• John Gordon · Gosford, AU
• Thomas Ruether · Melbourne, AU
• Friederike Agel · Aachen, DE
• Andreas Bösmann · Stegen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 21, 2007
• Grant date: Jan 20, 2015
• Expiry date: Oct 19, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C10G53/14
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for the deep desulfurisation of hydrocarbons (HC), in particular Natural Gas Condensate (NGC), and HC comprising diesel, pre-extracted diesel and naphtha, is described which is capable of reducing the sulfur content of these HC from 500 to 30 ppm. The process comprises contacting the hydrocarbon material with an oxidant selected from organic peroxy acids, organic peroxides, inorganic peroxides and mixtures thereof, in at least a stochiometric amount sufficient to oxidise a sulfur compound to a sulfone compound; contacting the hydrocarbon material with an aqueous extractant to allow at least a portion of the oxidised sulfur compounds to be extracted into the aqueous extractant, and separating the hydrocarbon material from the aqueous extractant to give a hydrocarbon material of reduced sulfur content. Optionally, the process may include a second and subsequent extractions with the aqueous extractant to further reduce sulfur content. A final extraction with an IL may be conducted. The invention also provides for substitution of the aqueous extractant with an IL in one or more of the other extraction steps. The extractants and by products generated during f01 oxidation can b…