Method for removing mercury from liquid hydrocarbon

Abstract

A process for removing mercury of the present invention is characterized in that an ionic mercury-containing liquid hydrocarbon placed in a container equipped with a circulating means is effectively contacted with a sulfur compound represented by the general formula (I): M 1 —S—M 2   (I) wherein M 1 and M 2 may be the same or different and are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal or an ammonium group, by introducing the sulfur compound into a suction side and/or a discharge side of the circulating means while circulating the ionic mercury-containing liquid hydrocarbon into the container through the circulating means. By the process for removing mercury of the present invention, the ionic mercury is effectively removed from the liquid hydrocarbon in simple manner.

1 . A process for removing mercury from a liquid hydrocarbon, which comprises a step of contacting an ionic mercury-containing liquid hydrocarbon placed in a container with a sulfur compound represented by the general formula (I):  
       M 1 —S—M 2   (i)  
       wherein M 1  and M 2  may be the same or different and are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal or an ammonium group, thereby removing the ionic mercury, 
 wherein the container is equipped with a circulating means for circulating the ionic mercury-containing liquid hydrocarbon into the container, and  
 wherein the sulfur compound is introduced into a suction side and/or a discharge side of the circulating means while circulating the ionic mercury-containing liquid hydrocarbon through the circulating means.  
 
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the ionic mercury-containing liquid hydrocarbon in the container is mechanically stirred.  
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the sulfur compound is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of hydrogen sulfide, sodium sulfide, sodium hydrosulfide, potassium sulfide, potassium hydrosulfide, ammonium sulfide, and ammonium hydrosulfide.  
     
     
         4 . The process according to any one of  claims 1  to  3 , wherein the liquid hydrocarbon is circulated at a rate of 1 to 5000 m 3 /h.  
     
     
         5 . The process according to any one of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the sulfur compound is introduced in an amount of 1 to 10,000 mol per one mole of mercury contained in the liquid hydrocarbon.  
     
     
         6 . The process according to any one of  claims 1  to  5 , wherein 1 to 10,000 mol of the sulfur compound per one mole of mercury contained in the liquid hydrocarbon is introduced over 1 to 300 h.  
     
     
         7 . The process according to any one of  claims 1  to  6 , wherein the liquid hydrocarbon is further circulated for additional 1 to 300 h after introducing the sulfur compound.