Hydrocarbon Heavy Metal Extraction Using Additive-Aqueous Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for removing heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, and selenium from liquid hydrocarbons are inefficient, costly, and often require high temperatures and pressures, failing to effectively reduce the frequency of catalyst guard bed replacement.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the dissolution of heavy metals in hydrocarbons using an additive composition, followed by extraction into an aqueous phase, where a heavy metal precipitating agent can convert the metals into a different speciation, allowing for their separation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing processes are used to remove heavy metals from liquid hydrocarbons, then heavy metal removal is achieved, but the processes are inefficient, costly, and require high temperatures and pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by introducing specific additives (amine compounds, sulfur compounds, or their combinations) that alter the chemistry of heavy metal removal. These additives enable the process to proceed under milder conditions with lower energy consumption while maintaining effective heavy metal removal from hydrocarbon streams
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses chemical additives as intermediaries to facilitate heavy metal removal. These additives (amines, sulfur compounds) act as mediators that bind to heavy metals, enabling their separation from hydrocarbons without requiring high energy input, thus resolving the contradiction between removal effectiveness and energy consumption
2Reliability
If existing processes are used to remove heavy metals from liquid hydrocarbons, then heavy metal removal is achieved, but the processes are inefficient and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs relatively inexpensive chemical additives (amines and sulfur compounds) that can be introduced in small amounts to achieve effective heavy metal removal. These additives are cost-effective compared to existing processes, reducing the overall manufacturing cost while maintaining removal effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the chemical parameters through the use of specific additive compositions, the patent achieves effective heavy metal removal through a simpler, less costly process that doesn't require complex high-temperature or high-pressure equipment, thereby reducing manufacturing costs
3Reliability
If existing processes are used to remove heavy metals from liquid hydrocarbons, then some heavy metal removal is achieved, but they fail to effectively reduce the frequency of catalyst guard bed replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The chemical additives serve as intermediaries that selectively bind to heavy metal species (mercury, arsenic, selenium) with high affinity, converting them into separable forms. This mediation enables more complete heavy metal removal compared to existing processes, effectively reducing catalyst guard bed replacement frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent effectively extracts heavy metals from the hydrocarbon phase through the action of chemical additives. The additives facilitate the extraction of heavy metals into a separate phase or bound form, achieving more thorough removal that directly addresses the insufficient heavy metal reduction in existing processes
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method efficiently reduces heavy metal concentrations in hydrocarbons, minimizing the need for catalyst guard bed replacements by using cost-effective and energy-efficient processes.
Implementation Method 1
dissolving one or more heavy metals within the hydrocarbons with an additive composition
Implementation Method 2
The dissolved one or more heavy metals from the hydrocarbons are extracted into an aqueous phase. The aqueous phase is separated from the hydrocarbons
Implementation Method 3
a heavy metal precipitating agent can convert the metals into a different speciation
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates generally to processes, systems, and compositions for removing one or more heavy metals from liquid hydrocarbons. In one embodiment, the application pertains to a method comprising dissolving one or more heavy metals within the hydrocarbons with an additive composition. The dissolved one or more heavy metals from the hydrocarbons are extracted into an aqueous phase. The aqueous phase is separated from the hydrocarbons. The additive composition generally comprises an effective amount of a heavy metal dissolving additive.