Selective extraction of mercaptans from hydrocarbons mixtures using ionic liquids in membrane contactors

Desulfurization is one of the most important processes in refinery industries due to the environmental risks and health issues inflated from sulphur emissions. Aiming at the control and mitigation of these negative effects, environmental regulations addressing drastic reductions of fuel sulphur limits have been imposed, bringing us toward near-zero levels (< 10ppmw S). The conventional refining processes are based on the hydrodesulfurization. Despite of hydrocarbon recovery by the hydrogenation of the sulphur compound (aliphatic and aromatic) into hydrogen sulphides and hydrocarbons, this elimination treatment operates at elevated temperatures and high hydrogen pressure. Moreover, in the presence of stable sulphur compounds in the petroleum streams, it becomes very difficult, inefficient and even more expensive since severe operation conditions are required.