Desulfurization of residual oil

Abstract

A method is provided for desulfurization of oil stock, e.g. residual oil, having a minimum sulfur content of about 2 weight percent and a minimum metals content of about 50 ppm to produce a low-sulfur, high-metals content raffinate and a high-sulfur, low-metals content extract which comprises contacting said oil stock with a solvent selective for low molecular weight aromatics and having a boiling point within the range of from about 0.degree. F to about 100.degree. F and a density greater than or less than the density of the oil stock being contacted by at least 0.1 g/cc, said contacting being conducted at a temperature of from about 60.degree. F to about 212.degree. F, a solvent/oil stock volume ratio of from about 0.25 to about 10 and a pressure higher than the vapor pressure of the solvent at the contacting temperature, and separating the low-sulfur, high-metals content raffinate from the high-sulfur, low-metals content extract.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.