Title: Catalytic oxidation of mercaptans and removal of naphthenic acids, catalyst toxins, and toxin precursors from petroleum distillates

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the catalytic oxidation of mercaptans in a sour petroleum distillate containing difficultly oxidizable mercaptans, catalyst toxins and catalyst toxin precursors. The process comprises treating said distillate in contact with an alkaline solution and extracting naphthenic acids from the distillate; treating the substantially naphthenic acids-free distillate in contact with an oxidizing agent and an alkaline solution of a metal phthalocyanine catalyst, oxidizing the residual catalyst toxins and toxin precursors contained therein and converting a portion of the mercaptans to disulfides; passing the resulting reaction mixture through a bed of solid adsorbent particles and adsorbing the oxidized toxins and toxin precursors and the metal phthalocyanine solution thereon; treating the toxin-free and toxin precursor-free distillate in contact with an alkaline solution and a supported metal phthalocyanine catalyst in the presence of an oxidizing agent; and recovering a distillate substantially free of mercaptans.

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Inventors: Carlson, David H. J. (Park Ridge, IL, US)
Urban, Peter (Northbrook, IL, US)

Application Number: 774283
Filing Date: 1977-03-04
Publication_date: 1978-01-24
Assignee: UOP Inc. (Des Plaines, IL)
Primary Class(es): 208/206 208/263
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

2882224	Apr, 1959	Gleim et al.	208/206.
2921020	Jan, 1960	Urban et al.	208/206.
2988500	Jun, 1961	Gleim et al.	208/206.
3371031	Feb, 1968	Strong	208/206.
4033860	Jul, 1977	Carlson	208/206.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Crasanakis, George
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Hoatson, Jr.; James R., Welch; Robert W., Page, II; William H.