초록 ▼

A process for removing H.sub.2 S and mercaptans from a hydrocarbon stream is disclosed. A hydrocarbon stream such as a LPG stream is contacted with a weakly basic stream, e.g., a sodium bicarbonate stream in order to extract the H.sub.2 S and mercaptans from the hydrocarbon stream into the basic str

A process for removing H.sub.2 S and mercaptans from a hydrocarbon stream is disclosed. A hydrocarbon stream such as a LPG stream is contacted with a weakly basic stream, e.g., a sodium bicarbonate stream in order to extract the H.sub.2 S and mercaptans from the hydrocarbon stream into the basic stream. The basic stream is now treated in a reactor containing a sulfide oxidizing microorganism in order to convert the H.sub.2 S to sulfur and the mercaptans to disulfides. Finally, the sulfur and disulfides are separated from the basic aqueous stream which can be recycled and used to treat a fresh hydrocarbon stream. The treated hydrocarbon stream is purified to the point that it passes the copper strip test, while the purified basic stream contains less than 0.08 g/l of elemental sulfur.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A process for treating a hydrocarbon stream containing H.sub.2 S and mercaptans consisting essentially of:a) contacting the hydrocarbon stream with a weakly basic aqueous stream in an extraction column at extraction conditions, thereby extracting H.sub.2 S and mercaptan

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A process for treating a hydrocarbon stream containing H.sub.2 S and mercaptans consisting essentially of:a) contacting the hydrocarbon stream with a weakly basic aqueous stream in an extraction column at extraction conditions, thereby extracting H.sub.2 S and mercaptans into the basic stream;b) separating the basic stream from the hydrocarbon stream and collecting a treated hydrocarbon stream which passes the copper strip test;c) flowing the basic stream to a reactor and contacting the stream for a sufficient time with a sulfide oxidizing microorganism, at conversion conditions in the presence of sufficient oxygen, to convert the H.sub.2 S to elemental sulfur and convert the mercaptans to disulfides;d) separating the disulfides from the basic stream and flowing the basic stream to a first separation zone where the elemental sulfur is separated from the basic stream to give a purified basic stream, which contains less than 0.08 g/l of sulfur.