US3787315A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Alkali metal desulfurization process for petroleum oil stocks using low pressure hydrogen
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1972-06-01
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Granted: 1974-01-22
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Expires: 1992-06-01
Abstract
Abstract Low sulfur-content petroleum oil stocks are prepared by contacting a sulfur-containing oil stock with an alkali metal, preferably sodium, or an alkali metal alloy, preferably sodium/lead, thereby producing a mixture comprising a low sulfur content oil containing alkali metal salts dispersed therein. The alkali metal treating step is conducted in the presence of low pressure hydrogen, i.e., 25 to 500 psig. The resulting mixture is then treated with either water or H2S thereby disengaging a substantial portion of the salts from the oil. The salt phase is then blended with a molten sulfur-rich alkali metal polysulfide thereby forming a sulfur-depleted alkali metal polysulfide which is subsequently decomposed electrolytically to form alkali metal.
Inventors
- 👤 R Bearden
- 👤 T Fink
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:09
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B17/00; C01B17/22; C01B17/34; C10; C10G; C10G29/00; C10G29/04; C10G45/00; C10G45/02; C10G67/00; C10G67/02; C01P; C01P2006/00; C01P2006/32; C01P2006/33; C01P2006/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen pressure iN said desulfurization zone ranges between about 25 and about 800 psig.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said hydrogen pressure ranges between about 100 and 200 psig.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said alkali metal is sodium and said alkali metal alloy is a mixture of sodium and lead.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 20 wherein said mixture is contacted with about 10 to about 400 mole percent H2S, based on total moles of salt present in said mixture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 5 wherein about 30 to about 60 mole % H2S, based on total moles of salt present in said mixture, is contacted with said mixture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 5 wherein about 120 to about 160 mole % H2S, based on total moles of salt present in said mixture, is contacted with said mixture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the H2S-treated mixture comprises a salt phase and an oil phase and where said salt phase is substantially separated from said oil phase and at least a portion of said salt phase contacted with molten sulfur.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said water is contacted with said mixture in amounts ranging between about 10 and about 80 mole percent, based on total number of moles of salt present in the mixture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said water is contacted with said mixture in an amount ranging between about 110 and 200 mole percent, based on total number of moles of salt present in the mixture, and, thereafter, cooling the water-treated mixture to a temperature below about 250*F. thereby agglomerating the salts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
A process for the desulfurization of a sulfur-containing petroleum oil stock comprising contacting said oil stock, in a desulfurization zone, with a desulfurization agent selected from the group consisting of sodium and alloys thereof, in the presence of a hydrogen-containing stream thereby forming a mixture comprising oil containing sodium metal salts dispersed therein, contacting at least a portion of said mixture with water or H2S, thereby forming a mixture comprising an oil phase of reduced sulfur content and a salt phase, contacting at least a portion of said phase with a sulfurrich sodium polysulfide, thereby forming a mixture comprising a sulfur-depleted sodium polysulfide and, thereafter, using at least a portion of said sulfur-depleted sodium polysulfide as an electrolyte in an electrolytic cell for the production of sodium metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the hydrogen pressure ranges between about 25 to 800 psig.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 11 wherein said sulfurrich sodium polysulfide is Na2S5.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The process of claim 11 wherein said sulfurrich sodium polysulfide is represented by the formula Na2Sx where x takes values ranging between about 4.0 and about 4.9 and said sulfur-depleted sodium polysulfide is represented by the formula Na2Sy where y takes values ranging between about 2.8 and 4.5.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the oil containing sodium metal salts dispersed therein is contacted with water.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 15 wherein the sulfur-depleted sodium polysulfide-containing mixture also contains NaOH and is treated with about 0.5 to about 1.0 moles of H2S, based on moles of NaOH present in the mixture.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 11 wherein said electrolytic cell comprises an anodic cavity containing polysulfide anions and a cathodic cavity containing sodium metal, said anodic and cathodic cavities separated by means of a sodium-ion-conducting membrane comprising beta-alumina.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
70 words
A process for the desulfurization of a sulfur and metals-containing petroleum oil stock comprising contacting said petroleum oil stock, in a desulfurization zone, with a desulfurization agent selected from the group consisting of the alkali metals and alloys thereoF, and a hydrogen-containing stream, thereby forming a mixture comprising oil of reduced sulfur and metals content containing alkali metal salts and contacting at least a portion of said mixture with H2S.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 18 wherein the hydrogen partial pressure in said desulfurization zone ranges between about 25 and 500 psig.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-21 | 1977-07-23 | 1978-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-21 | 1981-07-23 | 1982-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-07-23 | 1986-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |