Methods of extracting iron species from liquid hydrocarbons
AssigneeBetz Laboratories, Inc.
InventorsRosalie B. Hart, Paul V. Roling
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Abstract
Methods of extracting iron species, such as iron naphthenate, and iron sulfides, from a liquid hydrocarbon, such as crude oil are disclosed. A chelant selected from oxalic or citric acid is added directly to the liquid hydrocarbon and mixed therewith. Then, wash water is added to form a water in oil emulsion. The emulsion is resolved, with iron laden aqueous phase being separated.
Claims20
Method of extracting iron species from a liquid hydrocarbonaceous medium comprising contacting said medium with a non-aqueous form of a chelant selected from the group consisting of oxalic acid and citric acid to form a chelant containing reaction mixture, then adding water having a pH of about 6-11 to said reaction mixture to form an emulsion, separating said emulsion and removing iron-laden water from said separated emulsion.
A method of removing iron species from crude oil comprising first contacting said crude with a non-aqueous form of chelant selected from oxalic acid and citric acid, said chelant being present in an amount of about 1-10 moles thereof based upon the number of moles or iron in said crude oil, subsequently adding 1-15% water having a pH of about 6-11 to said reaction mixture to form an emulsion, resolving said emulsion, and separating iron laden water phase from said emulsion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.