METHOD FOR DEMETALLATING PETROLEUM STREAMS

摘要

A method of decreasing the metals content of metal containing petroleum streams (4) by forming a mixture of the petroleum fraction containing those metals and an aqueous electrolysis medium containing electron transfer agent, and passing an electric current through the mixture or through the pretreated aqueous electrolysis medium at a voltage, sufficient to remove the metals such as Ni, V and Fe from the stream (3) (i.e., to produce a petroleum fraction having decreased content of the metals). The cathodic voltage is from 0 V to -3.0 V vs. SCE. The invention provides a method of enhancing the value of petroleum feeds that traditionally have limited use in refineries due to their metals, e.g., Ni and V content.