| 摘要 |
Trace amount levels of heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, etc., in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an oxidizing agent, extracting heavy metals into a water phase for subsequent separation from the crude oil. In one embodiment, the oxidizing agent is selected from the group of hydroperoxides, organic peroxides, inorganic peracids and salts thereof, organic peracids and salts thereof, halogens such as iodine (I2), bromine (Br2), and ozone. In another embodiment, at least a complexing agent selected from the group of metal halides and/or sulfur compounds can be added to facilitate the removal of heavy metals from crude oil by forming soluble heavy metal complexes in the water phase. |
