Multiple reuse in closed cycle of surfactant alkaline solution in demercaptanization process

Keywords: hydrocarbons, mercaptanes, alkaline extraction, surfactants.

Possibility of multiple reuse of surfactant alkaline solution in demercaptanization process has been studied. It was found that use of surfactant alkaline solution greatly improves mercaptane extraction ratio and allows it is multiple reuse in closed cycle hydrocarbon demercaptanization. In case of single injection of surfactant in alkaline solution, that solution has retained it’s activity in many cycles without addition of fresh portions of surfactant and provided permanently high mercaptane extraction efficiency from light hydrocarbons.