Sulfur-Based Aqueous Compositions With Sorbent Odor Removal

The patent applies local quality by using a two-stage treatment process where different treatment methods are applied to different aspects of the odor removal problem. The first stage uses a specific treatment method for initial odor removal, while the second stage applies a different treatment to maintain long-term odorlessness, addressing both temporary and persistent odor concerns with specialized approaches for each stage.

The patent implements preliminary action by performing an initial treatment step before the final product is produced. This preliminary treatment removes the bulk of the refinery odor and contaminants from the sulfur-based compounds before further processing, preventing odor recurrence by addressing the root cause early in the production process rather than attempting to mask symptoms later.

The patent employs porous materials, specifically sorbent materials with high surface area and porosity, to efficiently adsorb refinery hydrocarbons from the aqueous compositions. These porous sorbents provide extensive surface area for contaminant absorption while maintaining a relatively simple treatment process structure, achieving effective hydrocarbon removal without proportionally increasing system complexity.

The patent utilizes disposable or easily replaceable sorbent materials that can be discarded after a single use or after reaching saturation capacity. This approach simplifies the overall treatment system design by eliminating the need for complex regeneration or recovery systems, accepting that the sorbent itself is a consumable component that provides effective odor and contaminant removal through its service life.