Use of alpha-amino ethers for the removal of mercaptans from hydrocarbons

Abstract

The invention provides a method of removing mercaptans from hydrocarbon fluids. The method involves using an alpha-amino ether to scavenge the mercaptans. The scavenging reaction converts the mercaptans into a hydrocarbon soluble compound that mitigates the odor of the mercaptans.

1 . A method of reducing the amount of mercaptans in a hydrocarbon fluid comprising contacting the fluid with an effective amount of alpha-amino ether sufficient to convert the mercaptan into a non-volatile species and facilitating the removal of the volatile species from the hydrocarbon liquid thereby reducing the amount of mercaptans released into the vapor phase 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the hydrocarbon fluid is liquid. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the hydrocarbon fluid is selected from the list consisting of products produced from crude oils such as but not limited to kerosene, diesel fuel, gasoline, naphtha and heavy aromatic naphtha. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein there are different kinds of mercaptans in the hydrocarbon fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the alpha-amino ether is selected from the list consisting of:
 N,N′-oxybis(methylene)bis(N,N-dibutylamine), 
 N,N′-(methylenebis(oxy)bis(methylene))bis(N,N-dibutylamine), 
 4,4′-oxybis(methylene)dimorpholine, 
 bis(morpholinomethoxy)methane, 
 1,1′-oxybis(methylene)dipiperidine, 
 bis(piperidinomethoxy)methane, 
 N,N′-oxybis(methylene)bis(N,N-dipropylamine), 
 N,N′-(methylenebis(oxy)bis(methylene))bis(N,N-dipropylamine), 
 1,1′-oxybis(methylene)dipyrrolidine, 
 bis(pyrrolldinomethoxy)methane, 
 N,N′-oxybis(methylene)bis(N,N-diethylamine), 
 N,N′-(methylenebis(oxy)bis(methylene))bis(N,N-diethylamine), 
 and any combination thereof. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the ratio of alpha-amino ether molecules to mercaptan molecules is within the range of 1:1000 to 1000:1.