US3847800A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for removing sulfur and nitrogen in petroleum oils
Assignee: KVB Inc
•
Filing: 1973-08-06
•
Granted: 1974-11-12
•
Expires: 1993-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A method for the removal of sulfur and nitrogen components from petroleum oils is disclosed. The unwanted sulfur and nitrogen is oxidized to the extent that the resultant compounds exhibit preferential solubility characteristics in some solvent with respect to the oil. The oxidation step involves reacting the sulfur and nitrogen compounds present with an oxide of nitrogen. In particular instances, pretreatment of the oil to remove active groups which cause undesirable side reactions or removal of low sulfur fractions prior to the oxidation step will increase the efficiency of the process. The oil containing the oxidized forms of sulfur and nitrogen is then mixed with a selective solvent, which is immiscible in the oil and in which the sulfur and nitrogen compounds will dissolve. Methanol is the presently preferred solvent. Separation of the oil from the methanoloxidized compound solution may be effected in a gravity separator. The oxidant gas may be regenerated by the addition of oxygen and recirculated. The oxidized sulfur and nitrogen compounds may be decomposed in a hydrolysis reaction with a dilute base to separate inorganic sulfate and sulfite, and nitrate and nitrite compounds from the hydrocarbon parts of the compounds.
Inventors
- 👤 E Guth
- 👤 A Diaz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:52
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G27/00; C10G27/04; C10G27/12; C10G53/00; C10G53/02; C10G53/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
THE METHOD OF REDUCING OF REDUCING SULFUR AND NITROGEN COMPOU CONCENTRATIONS IN PETROLEUM OIL WHICH COMPRISES; A. EXPOSING PETROLEUM OIL TO AN OXIDIZING GAS CONTAINING ONE OR MORE OXIDES OF NITROGEN CHSOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING LIST: NO2, N2O4, N2O5, WHEREBY SULFUR AND NITROGEN COMPOUNDS IN SAID PETROLEUM OIL WILL BE OXIDIZED: B. MIXING SAID PETROLEUM OIL WITH A SOLVENT SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF METHANOL, ETHANOL-WATER MIXTURES, METHANOL-ETHANOL-WATER MIXTURES AND METHANOLINORGANIC SALT SOLUTIONS, SAID SOLVENT BEING SUBSTANTIALLY IMMISCIBLE WITH SAID OIL BUT BEING A SOLVENT FOR SAID OXIDIZED SULFUR COMPOUNDS, SAID OXIDIZED SULFUR COMPOUNDS DISSOLVING IN SAID SOLVENT; AND C. SEPARATING SAID OIL FROM SAID SOLVENT SOLUTION.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
108 words
THE METHOD OF REDUCING OF REDUCING SULFUR AND NITROGEN COMPOU CONCENTRATIONS IN PETROLEUM OIL WHICH COMPRISES; A. EXPOSING PETROLEUM OIL TO AN OXIDIZING GAS CONTAINING ONE OR MORE OXIDES OF NITROGEN CHSOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING LIST: NO2, N2O4, N2O5, WHEREBY SULFUR AND NITROGEN COMPOUNDS IN SAID PETROLEUM OIL WILL BE OXIDIZED: B. MIXING SAID PETROLEUM OIL WITH A SOLVENT SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF METHANOL, ETHANOL-WATER MIXTURES, METHANOL-ETHANOL-WATER MIXTURES AND METHANOLINORGANIC SALT SOLUTIONS, SAID SOLVENT BEING SUBSTANTIALLY IMMISCIBLE WITH SAID OIL BUT BEING A SOLVENT FOR SAID OXIDIZED SULFUR COMPOUNDS, SAID OXIDIZED SULFUR COMPOUNDS DISSOLVING IN SAID SOLVENT; AND C. SEPARATING SAID OIL FROM SAID SOLVENT SOLUTION.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 where said oxidizing gas further contains an inert gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 where said oxide of nitrogen chosen is NO2.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3 where said oxidizing gas contains about 1-20 percent NO2 and about 70 to 98 percent N2.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4 where said petroleum oil is exposed tO said oxidizing gas at a temperature of 50* to 350* F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 5 where said exposure is for less than 20 minutes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 where an oxide of nitrogen in said oxidizing gas is formed by reacting NO with O2.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 where said oxidizing gas contains NO, NO2 and O2.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 where said oxidizing gas further contains an inert gas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9 where said oxidizing gas is comprised of: 1-9 percent by volume NO+NO2, 1-19 percent by volume O2, and the balance nitrogen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 10 where said petroleum oil is exposed to said oxidizing gas at a temperature of 50* to 350*F.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11 where said exposure is for less than 20 minutes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 where said solvent is methanol.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 where said separation is performed by gravitational settling.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 14 where said oxidizing gas further contains an inert gas.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 14 where said oxide of nitrogen chosen is NO2.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 16 where said oxidizing gas contains about 1-20 percent NO2 and about 70 to 98 percent N2.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 17 where said petroleum oil is exposed to said oxidizing gas at a temperature of 50* to 350*F.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 18 where said exposure is for less than 20 minutes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 14 where an oxide of nitrogen in said oxidizing gas is formed by reacting NO with O2.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 20 where said oxidizing gas contains NO, NO2 and O2.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 21 where said oxidizing gas further contains an inert gas.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 22 where said oxidizing gas is comprised of: 1-9 percent by volume NO+NO2, 1-19 percent by volume O2, and the balance nitrogen.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 23 where said petroleum oil is exposed to said oxidizing gas at a temperature of 50* to 350*F.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 24 where said exposure is for less than 20 minutes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps in which said solvent stream is further treated after said separation: a. evaporating said solvent from said solvent solution; b. exposing the residue of said solvent solution to air and a dilute mixture of an inorganic base and water whereby said oxidized sulfur compounds will react to form inorganic sulfur compounds and a hydrocarbon fraction; and c. separating said hydrocarbon fraction from said inorganic sulfur compounds.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 and further including the step of heating said oil, prior to exposure to said oxidizing gas, to a temperature of from 300* to 600*F for from 2 to 20 hours.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 and further including the step of mixing a reactant with said oil prior to exposure to said oxidizing gas, said reactant being chosen from the following: water, hydrogen, ammonia.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 and further including the step of heating said oil, prior to exposure to said oxidizing gas, to a temperature of 800*F at atmospheric pressure.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 and further including the steps of heating said oil, prior to exposure to said oxidizing gas, to a temperature of 1,000*F in a vacuum.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 and further including the steps of: a. mixing said oil with methanol; b. allowing said oil to separate from said methanol; and c. decanting said methanol from said oil, said steps being taken prior to exposure of said oil to said oxidizing gas.
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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) | 1977-11-11 | 1978-05-13 | 1978-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-11 | 1982-05-13 | 1982-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-11 | 1986-05-13 | 1986-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |