treatment of cuts of crude oil, fossil fuels, and products thereof with acoustic energy

摘要

In crude oil fractions, fossil fuels, and organic liquids in general in which it is desirable to reduce the levels of nitrogen-containing components, the process reduces the level of these compounds via the application of sonic energy. The process can be performed both with and without the added presence of an oxidizing agent, and with or without elevated temperature and/or pressure. The invention is performed either as a continuous process or a batch process. In particular a process is described for treating an organic liquid to reduce levels therein of nitrogen-bearing compounds. The organic liquid is combined with an aqueous liquid to form an emulsion; the emulsion subjected said to sonic energy at a sufficient intensity and for a sufficient time to facilitate oxidation of at least a majority of said nitrogen-containing compounds in said organic liquid and to convert olefinic compounds in said organic liquid to paraffins; the emulsion is permitted to separate into aqueous and organic phases of which said organic phase comprises said organic liquid; and the organic liquid is isolated from said aqueous phase. Further, a process is described for treating an organic liquid containing fused-ring aromatic compounds and olefinic compounds such that said fused rings in such fused-ring aromatic compounds become open and said olefinic compounds are converted to saturated compounds.