Sulfur reduction methods and systems
AssigneeSanta Fe Resources Development, Inc.
InventorsRobert A. Shuey, Stephen J. Gorton, Robert L. Cargill
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems for reducing sulfur content in crude oil are provided. The methods and systems apply a first alkaline aqueous solution to crude oil to produce alkaline-treated crude oil, apply an acid aqueous solution to the alkaline-treated crude oil to produce acid-treated crude oil, apply a second alkaline aqueous solution to the acid-treated crude oil to produce neutralized crude oil; and separate residual water that contains sulfur from the neutralized crude oil to produce treated crude oil that has less sulfur content than the crude oil before the treatment.
Claims20
A method for reducing sulfur content in crude oil comprising:
- applying a first alkaline aqueous solution to crude oil to produce alkaline-treated crude oil having an aqueous solution pH higher than 7.0;
- applying an acid aqueous solution to the alkaline-treated crude oil to produce acid-treated crude oil having an aqueous solution pH lower than 7.0;
- applying a second alkaline aqueous solution to the acid-treated crude oil to produce neutralized crude oil having an aqueous solution pH about 7.0;
- and
- separating residual water that contains sulfur from the neutralized crude oil to produce treated crude oil,
- wherein at least one of the first alkaline aqueous solution, the acid aqueous solution, and the second alkaline aqueous solution comprises a metal ion catalyst, and whereby the treated crude oil contains less sulfur content than the crude oil.
A system comprising:
- an alkaline processing station comprising:
- at least one alkaline processing container configured to receive crude oil having sulfur content and a first alkaline aqueous solution and deliver alkaline-treated crude oil having an aqueous solution pH higher than 7.0;
- an acid processing station comprising:
- at least one acid processing container configured to receive the alkaline-treated crude oil and an acid aqueous solution and deliver acid-treated crude oil having an aqueous solution pH lower than 7.0;
- a neutralization station comprising:
- at least one neutralization container configured to receive the acid-treated crude oil and a second alkaline aqueous solution and deliver neutralized crude oil having an aqueous solution pH about 7.0;
- and
- a separation station comprising:
- at least one separation container configured to receive the neutralized crude oil, separate residual water that contains sulfur from the neutralized crude oil, and deliver treated crude oil,
- wherein at least one of the first alkaline aqueous solution, the acid aqueous solution, and the second alkaline aqueous solution comprise a metal ion catalyst, and whereby the treated crude oil contains less sulfur content than the crude oil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.