Mathematical Simulation of the Alkaline Demercaptanization of Hydrocarbon Raw Materials

Abstract

Kinetics of the alkaline extraction of mercaptans from light hydrocarbon fractions on model compositions with the use of a cation-active surfactant, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, was studied. To analyze the influence exerted by the main factors on the demercaptanization process, a mathematical model taking into account the diffusion and kinetic stages of the process in a heterogeneous system was developed. It was shown that the introduction of the surfactant into the emulsion leads not only to a rise in the interfacial area, but also to a significant increase in the mass-transfer coefficient, which is the main reason why the process rate and the depth of purification of the model solution to remove butyl and amyl mercaptans become higher.