Exxon Research and Engineering Company

Joseph L Niedzwiecki

Gregory M Lipkin

Ralph G Wolfe

A process for improving the separation of a hydrocarbonaceous oil is provided, in which the oil is separated into fractions in an atmospheric distillation zone. The heavy bottoms fraction (atmospheric residuum) is split into two streams. One stream is passed through a heating zone and, subsequently, to a vacuum separation zone. The other stream by-passes the heating zone and is introduced directly into the vacuum separation zone.

Process for separating hydrocarbons

A process for improving the separation of a hydrocarbon mixture is provided in which the hydrocarbon mixture is separated into fractions in a distillation zone. A liquid fraction and a portion of the vapor phase fraction are removed from the distillation zone as sidestream and introduced into a separation zone comprising a stripping gas to be stripped simultaneously. The resulting stripped vapor is recycled to an upper portion of the distillation zone.

Hydrogen sulfide is removed form a water stream comprising hydrogen sulfide and a high concentration of a Group IIA metal component such as magnesium and calcium components by maintaining the water stream at a specific acidic pH range and a specified temperature, and subjecting the resulting acidified hot water stream to vacuum flashing, in the absence of a stripping gas.

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Fanwood, boht of, NJ, United States of America

Joseph L Niedzwiecki