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US 7,001,504 B2Granted
Method for extraction of organosulfur compounds from hydrocarbons using ionic liquids
AssigneeExtractica, LLC.
InventorRoger E. Schoonover
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Abstract
A process for the removal of organosulfur compounds from hydrocarbon materials is disclosed. The process includes contacting an ionic liquid with a hydrocarbon material to extract sulfur-containing compounds into the ionic liquid. The sulfur-containing compounds can be partially oxidized to sulfoxides and/or sulfones prior to or during the extraction step.
Claims18
A method for reducing the sulfur content of a hydrocarbon material comprising a sulfur compound, comprising:
- a. partially oxidizing the sulfur compound in the hydrocarbon material to form oxidation products comprising products selected from the group consisting of sulfoxides and sulfones;
- b. contacting the hydrocarbon material with an ionic liquid, whereby at least a portion of the partially oxidized sulfur compound is extracted from the hydrocarbon material to the ionic liquid;
- and
- c. separating the hydrocarbon material from the ionic liquid, whereby the sulfur content of the hydrocarbon material is reduced.
1 more element
A method for reducing the sulfur content of a hydrocarbon material comprising a sulfur compound, comprising:
- a. partially oxidizing the sulfur compound in the hydrocarbon material to form oxidation products comprising products selected from the group consisting of sulfoxides and sulfones;
- b. contacting the hydrocarbon material with an ionic liquid selected from the group consisting of liquid salts with general formula Q+ A−;
- where Q+ is selected from quaternary ammonium cations and quaternary phosphonium cations and A31 is selected from any anion that forms a liquid salt at below about 100° C., whereby at least a portion of the partially oxidized sulfur compound is extracted from the hydrocarbon material to the ionic liquid;
- c. separating the hydrocarbon material from the ionic liquid, whereby the sulfur content of the hydrocarbon material is reduced;
- and
- d. regenerating the ionic liquid by removing the sulfur compound from the ionic liquid and contacting additional hydrocarbon material with the ionic liquid from which the sulfur compound has been removed.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.