Apparatus and process for removal of sulfur-containing compounds from a hydrocarbon stream

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9181498-B2
Application number	US-201313904311-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 29, 2013
Priority date	May 29, 2013
Publication date	Nov 10, 2015
Grant date	Nov 10, 2015

Abstract

A process for removing sulfur compounds from a liquid hydrocarbon stream includes the steps of feeding the hydrocarbon stream to a recirculation section of an extraction vessel wherein the recirculation section contains a first alkaline solution; passing the hydrocarbon stream through the recirculation section; recirculating at least a part of a first alkaline stream to a top deck of one or more liquid-liquid contacting decks of the recirculation section; passing the hydrocarbon stream from the recirculation section to an extraction section of the extraction vessel wherein the extraction section includes one or more liquid-liquid contacting decks; feeding a second alkaline stream to an upper deck of the one or more liquid-liquid contacting decks of the extraction section wherein the second alkaline stream includes a second alkaline solution; and withdrawing a hydrocarbon product stream from the extraction vessel. An apparatus for removing sulfur compounds from the hydrocarbon stream is also disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A process for removing sulfur compounds from a liquid hydrocarbon stream, the process comprising:
(a) feeding a liquid hydrocarbon stream to a recirculation section of an extraction vessel, the recirculation section including a feed deck and one or more liquid-liquid contacting decks above the feed deck, the recirculation section containing a first alkaline solution suitable for converting mercaptans to mercaptides;
(b) passing the hydrocarbon stream through the recirculation section;
(c) withdrawing a first alkaline stream including the first alkaline solution and mercaptides from the recirculation section;
(d) recirculating at least a part of the first alkaline stream to a top deck of the one or more liquid-liquid contacting decks of the recirculation section;
(e) passing the hydrocarbon stream from the recirculation section to an extraction section of the extraction vessel, the extraction section including one or more liquid-liquid contacting decks;
(f) feeding a second alkaline stream to an upper deck of the one or more liquid-liquid contacting decks of the extraction section, the second alkaline stream including a second alkaline solution suitable for converting mercaptans to mercaptides; and
(g) withdrawing a hydrocarbon product stream from an exit opening of the extraction vessel.

2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the second alkaline stream includes an alkaline solution essentially free of mercaptides.

3. The process of claim 1 , wherein step (a) comprises feeding the liquid hydrocarbon stream to the recirculation section at a location above the feed deck.

4. The process of claim 1 , wherein step (f) comprises feeding the second alkaline stream behind a weir that extends upward from the upper deck of the one or more liquid-liquid contacting decks of the extraction section.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein:
each of the liquid-liquid contacting decks of the recirculation section includes a perforated section, and
each of the liquid-liquid contacting decks of the extraction section includes a perforated section.

6. A process for removing sulfur compounds from a liquid hydrocarbon stream, the process comprising:
(a) feeding a liquid hydrocarbon stream to a recirculation section of an extraction vessel, the recirculation section including a feed deck and one or more liquid-liquid contacting decks above the feed deck, the recirculation section containing a first alkaline solution suitable for converting mercaptans to mercaptides;
(b) passing the hydrocarbon stream through the recirculation section;
(c) withdrawing a first alkaline stream including the first alkaline solution and mercaptides from the recirculation section;
(d) recirculating at least a part of the first alkaline stream to a top deck of the one or more liquid-liquid contacting decks of the recirculation section;
(e) passing the hydrocarbon stream from the recirculation section to an extraction section of the extraction vessel, the extraction section including one or more liquid-liquid contacting decks;
(f) feeding a second alkaline stream to an upper deck of the one or more liquid-liquid contacting decks of the extraction section, the second alkaline stream including a second alkaline solution suitable for converting mercaptans to mercaptides; and
(g) withdrawing a hydrocarbon product stream from an exit opening of the extraction vessel,
wherein the first alkaline stream and the second alkaline stream are caustic, and
wherein the process does not include a caustic regeneration system.

7. The process of claim 6 wherein: the feed deck has an imperforate bottom wall.

8. The process of claim 6 wherein: the extraction section is in direct communication with the exit opening of the extraction vessel.

9. The process of claim 6 wherein: a majority of the mercaptans in the liquid hydrocarbon stream fed to the recirculation section are converted to mercaptides in the recirculation section.

Assignees

• Uop Llc

Inventors

• Tertel Jonathan Andrew
• Meister Peter A

Classifications

• C10G19/00 Primary

  Refining hydrocarbon oils in the absence of hydrogen, by alkaline treatment · CPC title

• C10G27/00 Primary

  Refining of hydrocarbon oils in the absence of hydrogen, by oxidation · CPC title