METHOD FOR REDUCING THE LEVEL OF ELEMENTAL SULFUR AND TOTAL SULFUR IN HYDROCARBON STREAMS

摘要

A method for reducing the level of elemental sulfur from sulfur- containing hydrocarbon streams as well as reducing the level of total sulfur in such streams. Preferred hydrocarbon streams include fuel streams such as naphtha streams that are transported through a pipeline. The sulfur-containi ng hydrocarbon stream is contacted with a mixture of water, a caustic, at least one metal sulfide, and an aromatic mercaptan. This results in an aqueous phase a nd a hydrocarbon phase containing reduced levels of both elemental sulfur and total sulfur.