Removal of alkali metal soaps from petrol- - eum hydrocarbons

摘要

Petroleum hydrocarbons which have been washed with alkali and contain small amts. of alkali metal soaps, are treated by directly contacting the hydrocarbons with carbonic acid of sufficient strength to acidify the alkali metal soaps and reduce the formation of an emulsion between hydrocarbons and fractions of alkali still contained therein, and the acidified alkali metal soaps are separated from the hydrocarbons. The carbonic acid is pref. introduced into the hydrocarbon by injection of CO2 and water.