Gel assisted separation method and dewatering/desalting hydrocarbon oils

Abstract

A method for separating polar hydrocarbon compounds from a hydrocarbon oil containing polar hydrocarbon compounds comprising the steps of: a) forming a gel in the hydrocarbon oil, and thereafter b) separating the gel from the hydrocarbon oil to produce a separated gel and a separated hydrocarbon oil.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60 / 590,891 filed Jul. 23, 2004.[0002] The invention relates to separating polar hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon oils. The invention also relates to desalting and / or dewatering hydrocarbon oils. BACKGROUND [0003] Hydrocarbon oils, particularly heavy crude oils, contain polar hydrocarbon compounds such as naphthenic acids, nitrogen and sulfur containing hydrocarbon compounds and pose problems in refining. There is a need to upgrade such hydrocrabon oils. Separation of polar hydrocarbon compounds such as naphthenic acids, nitrogen and sulfur containing hydrocarbon compounds from crude oils results in upgrading. The present invention addresses this need. [0004] Hydrocarbon oils, particularly crude oils when produced comprise varying amounts of water and inorganic salts like halogens, sulfates and carbonates of Group I and Group II elements of The Periodic Table of Elements. (The Periodic Tabl...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Hydrocarbon oils, particularly heavy crude oils, contain polar hydrocarbon compounds such as naphthenic acids, nitrogen and sulfur containing hydrocarbon compounds and pose problems in refining.

The presence of salts, especially chlorides of Group I and Group II elements of The Periodic Table of Elements, corrode oil processing equipment.

Heavy crude oils containing high concentrations of asphaltenes, resins, waxes, and napthenic acids are difficult to dewater and desalt and usually require longer processing times, higher process operation temperatures and higher concentrations of demulsifier chemicals to effect the desired dewatering and desalting.

As a result of these processing requirements for heavy crude oils the process throughput is lowered and costs for dewatering and desalting increased.