How do I get rid of mercaptan?

Oxidation is the only method that completely eliminates mercaptan odors. Precipitation technology may adsorb some mercaptans, but may readily release the adsorbed molecules. Removal of sulfide by precipitation often allows the odor from mercaptans to be more apparent and equally offensive.

What is merox treatment?

Merox is an acronym for ‘mercaptan oxidation’, a well-established process to remove mercaptans from refined products such as kerosene and jet fuel, to meet the regulatory requirements for reduced sulfur levels in aviation fuel.

How do you get rid of natural gas mercaptans?

For extraction of fuel gas and mercaptans from natural gas, the Merox process can remove virtually all the mercaptans. The extracted mercaptans are catalytically oxidized to disulfides, which are sent for appropriate disposal.

What is RSH in LPG?

The treatment process, often referred to as sweetening, involves the liquid/liquid extraction of the mercaptans (RSH) in LPG with a caustic solution, which is regenerated by oxidation with air in the presence of a liquid catalyst.

How are mercaptans removed in a caustic wash?

MERCAPTANS REMOVAL BY CAUSTIC WASH. Sour natural gases are usually contaminated with mercaptans. Light mercaptans (R1SH-R4SH) usually tend to concentrate in NGL, LPG or condensate streams due to similar boiling points. Contamination with mercaptans is also found in refineries when sour crude oils are processed.

How does sweetening and extraction work to remove mercaptan?

Extraction removes sulfur, sweetening just removes the mercaptan odor. Extraction is used for light products (up to light naphtha) and sweetening for heavy products (gasoline through diesel). Both sweetening and extraction processes ( Figure 1.24) commonly use caustic and catalyst.

How are mercaptans removed from natural gas feed stocks?

The extraction version of the Merox process removes caustic-soluble mercaptans from hydrocarbon feed stocks. For extraction of fuel gas and mercaptans from natural gas, the Merox process can remove virtually all the mercaptans. The extracted mercaptans are catalytically oxidized to disulfides, which are sent for appropriate disposal.

What kind of chemical treatment is needed for mercaptans?

Mercaptans occur in all fractions from methane and heavier, but cannot be removed by distillation because of which it requires chemical treatment for removal. The amount generally ranges from a few ppm to several thousand ppm. Natural gas includes H 2 S, CO 2, and other sulfur components such as mercaptans. The overall formula of mercaptans is RSH.