PROCESS FOR DEACIDIFYING CRUDE OIL

摘要

A process for deacidifying a crude oil and/or crude oil distillate containing organic acids the steps of (a) contacting the oil containing organic acids with a polar solvent comprising a C1 to C6 aliphatic alcohol in the presence of a Group IA and/or Group IIA metal salt selected from the group consisting of Group IA and/or Group IIA metal oxides, hydroxides and alkoxides such that at least a portion of the organic acids are converted into Group IA and/or Group IIA neutralization salts thereof and at least a portion of the neutralization salts are extracted into the polar solvent as an extract phase; (b) separating an oil phase which is reduced in acidity from the polar solvent extract phase; and (c) contacting the polar solvent extract phase with a heterogeneous esterification catalyst under condition effective to convert at least a portion of the Group IA and/or Group IIA neutralization salts to the corresponding esters of the organic acids and the C1 to C6 aliphatic alcohol.