METHOD FOR REMOVING MERCURY FROM LIQUID HYDROCARBON

摘要

PURPOSE:To realize the removal of even a hardly reactive organomercury compound at a high rate of removal by treating a liquid hydrocarbon containing a mercury compound with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble SH-containing organic compound and then with an aqueous solution of a specified sulfur compound to remove the mercury compound through extraction into the aqueous phase. CONSTITUTION:A liquid hydrocarbon (e.g. natural gas condensate) containing a mercury compound is treated with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble SH-containing organic compound (e.g. cysteine) and then with an aqueous solution of a sulfur compound of the formula MM'Sx (wherein M is an alkali metal or ammonium; M' is H or M; (x) is 1 to 6) (e.g. Na2S4) to remove the mercury compound through extraction into the aqueous phase.