Process, method, and system for removing heavy metals from fluids
US8992769B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2013 |
| Grant date | Mar 31, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 11, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10G2300/205
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Trace amount levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with a sufficient amount of a reducing agent to convert at least a portion of the non-volatile mercury into a volatile form of mercury, which can be subsequently removed by any of stripping, scrubbing, adsorption, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, at least 50% of the mercury is removed. In another embodiment, the removal rate is at least 99%. In one embodiment, the reducing agent is selected from sulfur compounds containing at least one sulfur atom having an oxidation state less than +6; ferrous compounds; stannous compounds; oxalates; cuprous compounds; organic acids which decompose to form CO2 and/or H2 upon heating; hydroxylamine compounds; hydrazine compounds; sodium borohydride; diisobutylaluminium hydride; thiourea; transition metal halides; and mixtures thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.