Process for reducing the chemical oxygen demand of spent alkaline reagents

摘要

An aqueous solution of spent alkaline reagent containing alkali metal mercaptides obtained from the treatment of a mercaptan-containing (i.e., sour) hydrocarbon fluid with an alkali metal hydroxide, e.g., sodium hydroxide (caustic) or potassium hydroxide, is contacted with hydrogen peroxide to convert at least a substantial amount of the alkali metal mercaptides to alkali metal sulfates and carbonates thereby substantially reducing the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the aqueous spent alkaline reagent solution.