Abstract:
An exemplary embodiment can be a process for removing one or more sulfur compounds in a gas hydrocarbon stream. The process may include feeding the gas hydrocarbon stream to a prewash zone containing an alkali stream and passing the gas hydrocarbon stream from the prewash zone to an extraction zone. Usually, the gas hydrocarbon stream includes one or more sulfur compounds and the prewash zone includes a hollow fiber membrane.
Abstract:
A unit for processing a liquid/gas phase mixture, a mercaptan oxidation apparatus, and a method of processing a liquid/gas phase mixture are provided. In an embodiment, a unit for processing a liquid/gas phase mixture includes a vessel that is adapted to receive the liquid/gas phase mixture and a distributor that is disposed in the vessel. The distributor is adapted for flow of the liquid/gas phase mixture into the vessel, and the distributor includes a first outlet pipe that is horizontally disposed within the vessel. The first outlet pipe includes top orifices and bottom orifices that are spaced along the first outlet pipe, and the first outlet pipe is in fluid communication with the vessel through the top orifices and the bottom orifices. The top orifices have a smaller cross-sectional area than the bottom orifices.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for treating hydrocarbon streams containing mercaptan compounds including contacting a first, relatively light hydrocarbon stream including mercaptan compounds with a first alkaline caustic solution to remove the mercaptan compounds from the first hydrocarbon stream and generate a second alkaline caustic solution including mercaptan compounds and oxidizing the mercaptan compounds in the second alkaline caustic solution to generate a third alkaline solution including a first concentration of disulfide compounds. The method further includes separating a portion of the disulfide compounds in the third alkaline solution to form a fourth alkaline solution including a second concentration of disulfide compounds. Still further, the method includes contacting the fourth alkaline solution with a second, relatively heavy hydrocarbon stream including mercaptan compounds to remove the mercaptan compounds from the second hydrocarbon stream, remove the disulfide compounds from the fourth alkaline solution, and generate the first alkaline caustic solution.
Abstract:
A process for removing gases from a sweetened hydrocarbon stream. The process can include passing the sweetened hydrocarbon stream to a gas removal zone, contacting the sweetened hydrocarbon stream with an aqueous stream, passing the aqueous stream to the degassing drum, and removing gases including at least one of oxygen and nitrogen from the aqueous stream. Often, the gas removal zone includes a degassing drum.
Abstract:
A unit for processing a liquid/gas phase mixture, a mercaptan oxidation apparatus, and a method of processing a liquid/gas phase mixture are provided. In an embodiment, a unit for processing a liquid/gas phase mixture includes a vessel that is adapted to receive the liquid/gas phase mixture and a distributor that is disposed in the vessel. The distributor is adapted for flow of the liquid/gas phase mixture into the vessel, and the distributor includes a first outlet pipe that is horizontally disposed within the vessel. The first outlet pipe includes top orifices and bottom orifices that are spaced along the first outlet pipe, and the first outlet pipe is in fluid communication with the vessel through the top orifices and the bottom orifices. The top orifices have a smaller cross-sectional area than the bottom orifices.
Abstract:
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for removing one or more sulfur compounds from a first liquid. The process can include passing the first liquid through a first inlet and a second liquid through a second inlet of a vessel, passing the first and second liquids through the passageway for facilitating contacting of the first and second liquids to extract the one or more sulfur compounds from the first liquid to the second liquid, and passing the first liquid through the first outlet and the second liquid through the second outlet. Often, the vessel has a plurality of vortex contactors, and a first outlet and a second outlet. The plurality of vortex contactors can include a first vortex contactor, in turn having at least one wall forming a perimeter about an interior region and including a first side and a second side forming a passageway communicating the first liquid from an exterior to the interior region, and a frustum positioned proximate to the passageway and abutting the at least one wall.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for processing hydrocarbons are provided. In one embodiment, a method for processing a hydrocarbon stream includes feeding a hydrocarbon stream including amine and mercaptan to an extraction zone. The method includes contacting the hydrocarbon stream with an alkaline stream in the extraction zone to convert the mercaptan to a mercaptide. Further, the method includes contacting the hydrocarbon stream with water in the extraction zone to remove the amine from the hydrocarbon stream.
Abstract:
Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for conversion of mercaptans are provided. In one example, an apparatus comprises a vessel that is capable to receive a feed stream that comprises liquid hydrocarbons and the mercaptans. The vessel comprises a catalyst bed section that is capable of contacting the feed stream with a catalyst in the presence of oxygen (O2) and caustic at reaction conditions effective to oxidize the mercaptans and form a caustic-containing, sweetened liquid hydrocarbon-containing stream. A coalescing bed section is capable to coalesce and separate at least a portion of the caustic from the caustic-containing, sweetened liquid hydrocarbon-containing stream for forming a caustic-depleted, sweetened liquid hydrocarbon-containing product stream.
Abstract:
Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for conversion of mercaptans are provided. In one example, an apparatus comprises a vessel that is capable to receive a feed stream that comprises liquid hydrocarbons and the mercaptans. The vessel comprises a catalyst bed section that is capable of contacting the feed stream with a catalyst in the presence of oxygen (O2) and caustic at reaction conditions effective to oxidize the mercaptans and form a caustic-containing, sweetened liquid hydrocarbon-containing stream. A coalescing bed section is capable to coalesce and separate at least a portion of the caustic from the caustic-containing, sweetened liquid hydrocarbon-containing stream for forming a caustic-depleted, sweetened liquid hydrocarbon-containing product stream.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses are provided for producing low sulfur propane and butane. The method includes reacting a mercaptan in a washed feed stream with a caustic stream to produce a mercaptan salt in a rich caustic stream and a hydrocarbon treated stream. The mercaptan salt in the rich caustic stream is reacted with oxygen and water to produce a mixed caustic/disulfide stream, and the caustic and disulfides in the mixed caustic/disulfide stream are separated to produce a disulfide stream and the caustic stream. The hydrocarbon treated stream is fractionated to produce a propane stream, a butane stream, and a C5+ stream.