Hydrocarbon purification

A method of purifying a hydrocarbon, the method comprising:

• flowing an aqueous phase into a first mixing region of a first reactor;
• mixing an organic phase with the aqueous phase by flowing the organic phase into the first mixing region;
• introducing steam into the first mixing region containing the aqueous phase and the organic phase, wherein the organic phase and the aqueous phase are introduced to the first mixing region to provide a water-to-oil weight ratio of about 1:100 to about 3:1 in the first mixing region, wherein the aqueous phase and the organic phase are mixed to produce flow conditions exhibiting a Reynolds number (Re) of about 2,000 or less, wherein the organic phase comprises at least one contaminant, and wherein the contaminant comprises one or more of phosphorous, calcium, potassium, sodium, chlorine, or any combination thereof;
• separating a purified organic phase from a waste;
• and
• directing the purified organic phase from the first reactor to a second mixing region of a second reactor.

A method of purifying a hydrocarbon, the method comprising:

• flowing an aqueous phase comprising water into a first end of a mixing region of a reactor along a first direction;
• mixing, via a countercurrent flow, an organic phase with the aqueous phase by flowing the organic phase into a second end opposite to the first end of the mixing region;
• introducing steam into the mixing region containing the aqueous phase and the organic phase, wherein the aqueous phase and the organic phase are mixed via the countercurrent flow to produce flow conditions exhibiting a Reynolds number (Re) of about 2,000 or less, wherein the organic phase and the aqueous phase are introduced to the mixing region to provide a water-to-oil weight ratio of about 1:100 to about 3:1 in the mixing region, wherein the organic phase comprises an oil, a fat, a grease, or any combination thereof, wherein the flow of the organic phase is along a second direction opposite to the first direction, and wherein the organic phase comprises at least one contaminant comprising phosphorous, calcium, potassium, sodium, chlorine, or any combination thereof;
• heating the mixing region;
• extracting a purified organic phase from a purification region of the reactor;
• extracting a waste from a waste region of the reactor;
• and
• directing the waste to a recuperator.