Emulsification of hydrocarbon gas oils to increase efficacy of water based hydrogen sulfide scavengers

Abstract

A hydrogen sulfide scavenging process for heavy oil that reduces hydrogen sulfide while minimizing corrosion to processing equipment. The method includes the steps of adding an aqueous-based scavenger containing one or more aldehydes, such as glyoxal, to the heavy oil using a static mixer injection system and creating an aqueous-based scavenger/heavy oil emulsion using a high shear/high velocity pump. The aqueous-based scavenger may be added in a scavenger addition branch, with the emulsion being formed in the addition branch and then returned to the processing equipment.

1 . A method for removal of hydrogen sulphide present in heavy oil in hydrocarbon media processing equipment, the method comprising the steps of:
 adding an aqueous-based scavenger containing one or more aldehydes to the heavy oil using a static mixer injection system; and   creating an aqueous-based scavenger/heavy oil emulsion using a high shear/high velocity pump.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising diverting a portion of the heavy oil into a scavenger addition branch, adding said aqueous-based scavenger to the portion of the heavy oil and forming the emulsion in the addition branch, and adding the aqueous-based scavenger/oil emulsion to the heavy oil in the processing equipment. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the static mixer uses a dispersion quill. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous-based scavenger is glyoxal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the processing equipment comprises a pipeline.