Treatment of crude oil fractions, fossil fuels, and products thereof with sonic energy

Abstract

In crude oil fractions, fossil fuels, and organic liquids in general in which it is desireable to reduce the levels of sulfur-containing and 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.

1 - 39 . (canceled)  
     
     
         40 . A process 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, said process comprising the step of exposing said organic liquid to a sonic energy having a frequency ranging from between about 2 kHz to about 100 kHz and possessing a displacement amplitude ranging from about 10 micrometers to about 300 micrometers for a duration ranging from between about 1 second to about 30 minutes.  
     
     
         41 . The process of  claim 40  wherein said sonic energy possesses a frequency ranging from about 10 kHz to about 19 kHz and is applied to said organic liquid from between about 1 second to about 1 minute.  
     
     
         42 . The process of  claim 41  wherein said sonic energy possesses a displacement amplitude ranging from about 30 micrometers to about 120 micrometers.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40  further comprising contacting organic liquid with a catalyst during said application of said sonic energy.  
     
     
         44 . The process of claim  34  wherein in step (a), said sonic energy is applied at a power density ranging from about 1 watt/cubic cm to about 20 watts/cubic cm.  
     
     
         45 . The process of claim  35  wherein said sonic energy is applied at a power density ranging from about 0.01 watts/cubic cm to about 100.00 watts/cubic cm.  
     
     
         46 . The process of  claim 45  wherein said sonic energy is applied at a power density ranging from about 1 watt/cubic cm to about 20.00 watts/cubic cm.  
     
     
         47 . The process of  claim 40  wherein said sonic energy is applied at a power density ranging from about 0.01 watts/cubic cm to about 100.00 watts/cubic cm.  
     
     
         48 . The process of  claim 47  wherein said sonic energy is applied at a power density ranging from about 1 watt/cubic cm to about 20.00 watts/cubic cm.