A method for removal of sulfide from a stream, the method comprising preparing a metal-chelant complex, designated M-Yn, where M is a divalent or trivalent cation, Y comprises a gluconic acid, glucaric acid or derivative thereof, and n is from about 1 to about 3; contacting a mixture comprising M-Yn and a base with a sulfide stream under conditions suitable for the formation of a metal-sulfide species; and contacting the metal-sulfide species with an oxidizing agent to form a soluble metal sulfide species. A method for removal of sulfide from a stream, the method comprising preparing a sulfide scavenging mixture comprising a base and a metal-complex characterized by Structure (I); contacting the sulfide scavenging mixture with a sulfide stream under conditions suitable for the formation of a metal-sulfide species; and contacting the metal-sulfide species with an oxidizing agent to form a soluble metal sulfide species. ##STR00001##

A method for removal of sulfide from a stream, the method comprising preparing a metal-chelant complex, designated M-Yn, where M is a divalent or trivalent cation, Y comprises a gluconic acid, glucaric acid or derivative thereof, and n is from about 1 to about 3; contacting a mixture comprising M-Yn and a base with a sulfide stream under conditions suitable for the formation of a metal-sulfide species; and contacting the metal-sulfide species with an oxidizing agent to form a soluble metal sulfide species. A method for removal of sulfide from a stream, the method comprising preparing a sulfide scavenging mixture comprising a base and a metal-complex characterized by Structure (I); contacting the sulfide scavenging mixture with a sulfide stream under conditions suitable for the formation of a metal-sulfide species; and contacting the metal-sulfide species with an oxidizing agent to form a soluble metal sulfide species. ##STR00001##

An oxidative treatment process, e.g., oxidative desulfurization or denitrification, is provided in which the oxidant is produced in-situ using an aromatic-rich portion of the original liquid hydrocarbon feedstock. The process reduces or replaces the need for the separate introduction of liquid oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide, organic peroxide and organic hydroperoxide in an oxidative treatment process.

An oxidative treatment process, e.g., oxidative desulfurization or denitrification, is provided in which the oxidant is produced in-situ using an aromatic-rich portion of the original liquid hydrocarbon feedstock. The process reduces or replaces the need for the separate introduction of liquid oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide, organic peroxide and organic hydroperoxide in an oxidative treatment process.

The disclosure is directed to a system and method of hydrocarbon desulfurization utilizing a liquid sorbent. The system includes a plurality of vessel pair assemblies, each of which includes a reaction vessel and a settling vessel. Hydrocarbon fuel having a sulfur content is mixed with a catalyst and an oxidant in each of the reaction vessels along with a sorbent and then transferred to the settling vessel for separating the hydrocarbon fuel having a sulfur content from the sorbent, the sorbent removing the oxidized portion of the sulfur from the hydrocarbon fuel. The sorbent is transferred from the second settling vessel to the first reaction vessel, while the hydrocarbon fuel having a sulfur content is transferred from the first settling vessel to the second reaction vessel so as to travel in opposing directions. Methods and other systems are likewise disclosed.

The disclosure is directed to a system and method of hydrocarbon desulfurization utilizing a liquid sorbent. The system includes a plurality of vessel pair assemblies, each of which includes a reaction vessel and a settling vessel. Hydrocarbon fuel having a sulfur content is mixed with a catalyst and an oxidant in each of the reaction vessels along with a sorbent and then transferred to the settling vessel for separating the hydrocarbon fuel having a sulfur content from the sorbent, the sorbent removing the oxidized portion of the sulfur from the hydrocarbon fuel. The sorbent is transferred from the second settling vessel to the first reaction vessel, while the hydrocarbon fuel having a sulfur content is transferred from the first settling vessel to the second reaction vessel so as to travel in opposing directions. Methods and other systems are likewise disclosed.

A method for desulfurization and contaminant reduction of fuel oil is provided. The method includes mixing, in a first container, the fuel oil with a first catalyst to oxidize sulfur containing compounds in the fuel oil to obtain one or more of a sulfoxide and a sulfone and oxidize metal contaminants in the fuel oil to obtain oxides of the contaminants, thereby forming a first mixture; mixing, in a second container, the first mixture with a second catalyst and a third catalyst to extract sulfur and an oxygen from the sulfoxide and the sulfone, thereby obtaining a second mixture; separating, in a vapor recovery unit, the second catalyst from the second mixture to obtain a third mixture; and separating, from the third mixture, in a mechanical separator, the third catalyst, the sulfur, and the oxide of the metal contaminants to obtain a purified fuel oil.

A method for desulfurization and contaminant reduction of fuel oil is provided. The method includes mixing, in a first container, the fuel oil with a first catalyst to oxidize sulfur containing compounds in the fuel oil to obtain one or more of a sulfoxide and a sulfone and oxidize metal contaminants in the fuel oil to obtain oxides of the contaminants, thereby forming a first mixture; mixing, in a second container, the first mixture with a second catalyst and a third catalyst to extract sulfur and an oxygen from the sulfoxide and the sulfone, thereby obtaining a second mixture; separating, in a vapor recovery unit, the second catalyst from the second mixture to obtain a third mixture; and separating, from the third mixture, in a mechanical separator, the third catalyst, the sulfur, and the oxide of the metal contaminants to obtain a purified fuel oil.

The present invention provides selective extraction of sulfoxides, or sulfoxides in combination with sulfones, from hydrocarbon mixtures containing these compounds. A significant advantage of the invention is that oxidation products resulting from oxidative desulfurization of hydrocarbon feedstocks are selectively extracted with minimum co-extraction of non-oxidized products such as valuable hydrocarbon fuel components.

The present invention provides selective extraction of sulfoxides, or sulfoxides in combination with sulfones, from hydrocarbon mixtures containing these compounds. A significant advantage of the invention is that oxidation products resulting from oxidative desulfurization of hydrocarbon feedstocks are selectively extracted with minimum co-extraction of non-oxidized products such as valuable hydrocarbon fuel components.