METHODS AND PROCESSES FOR PRODUCING PROCESS OILS WITH A LOW POLYAROMATIC HYDROCARBON CONTENT

摘要

A method or process for producing, manufacturing, or extracting a process oil with a low polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) or polycyclic aromatic (PCA) content of less than approximately 3% by weight. The process includes providing a feed oil, a solvent, and an anti-solvent (e.g., water) to a counter-current extraction column. The extraction column is heated to an extraction temperature. Nitrogen gas is introduced to facilitate removal of PCA from the feed oil and thereby facilitate or effectuate production of process oils with a PCA content of less than approximately 3% by weight.