Removing mercury from crude oil using a stabilizer column
US9447336B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 14, 2014 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 3, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10G2300/205
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Methods, systems and designs are provided for removing mercury from crudes. Crude oil is heated to a temperature above 100° C. in a stabilization column for a time sufficient to convert all of the forms of mercury in the oil into the elemental mercury form. The elemental mercury is then stripped from the crude oil by flashing, or preferably by gas stripping with a gas injected at the bottom of the column. Either process transfers the elemental mercury from the oil phase into the gas phase. Elemental mercury can then be removed from the gas phase by methods such as condensation, precipitation, or absorption either alone or in combination.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.