Process for the separation of n-paraffins from hydrocarbon oils

A process for forming an adduct of urea and a normal paraffin which comprises passing a liquid hydrocarbon mixture comprising n-paraffins having at least 6 carbon atoms per molecule, non adduct-forming hydrocarbons, and from 1 to 3 volume percent of a monohydric alcohol having from 1 to 2 carbon atoms per molecule upwardly through a contacting zone into contact with solid particles of urea at a flow rate sufficient to fluidize said particles of urea without substantial entrainment in said liquid hydrocarbon mixture thereby maintaining a dense phase fluidized bed of solid urea particles in said contacting zone, said bed having a distinct upper level below the outlet for the treated hydrocarbon mixture and effecting the formation of solid urea-n-paraffin adduct with at least a portion of the n-paraffins contained in said hydrocarbon mixture, said adduct tending to concentrate in the upper portion of said fluidized bed;

• withdrawing treated hydrocarbon mixture depleted in n-paraffins at a point above the upper level of said dense phase fluidized bed and withdrawing said adduct from the upper portion of said dense phase fluidized bed.