Method for Reducing Acids in Crude or Refined Hydrocarbons
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsKsenija Babic-Samardzija, Joseph L. Stark, Michael J. Zetlmeisl, Bradley G. Harrell, Lawrence N. Kremer
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Abstract
Total acid number and/or corrosiveness of a crude or refined hydrocarbon, where the total acid number and/or corrosiveness is due to the presence of acid compounds such as carboxylic acid (naphthenic acid), may be reduced by treating the hydrocarbon with a metallic overbase. The effect of this treatment may be substantially enhanced by the presence of a hydrogen transfer agent. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b)
Claims35
A process for preparing a refined hydrocarbon comprising:
- treating a crude hydrocarbon having a carboxylic acid concentration such that a refined hydrocarbon produced therewith exceeds a predetermined specification for a property affected by the presence of a carboxylic acid with a metallic overbase additive;
- and
- refining the crude hydrocarbon to produce at least one refined hydrocarbon,
- wherein the at least one refined hydrocarbon meets the predetermined specification for a property affected by the presence of a carboxylic acid.
A process for treating a hydrocarbon to reduce carboxylic acids concentration comprising admixing the hydrocarbon with an additive comprising a metallic overbase and a hydrogen transfer agent.
A low acid hydrocarbon comprising a hydrocarbon, a metallic overbase and a hydrogen transfer agent, wherein compounds remaining in the low acid hydrocarbon are selected from the group consisting of the metallic overbase, the hydrogen transfer agent, and compounds resulting therefrom.
An additive useful for treating a hydrocarbon to reduce the level of carboxylic acids therein, the additive comprising a metallic overbase and hydrogen transfer agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.