Abstract
The paper highlights the role of fibre film contactors in caustic removal of mercaptans, naphthenic acids and hydrogen sulfide impurities from hydrocarbon streams. This novel mass transfer equipment creates an interfacial surface between hydrocarbon and caustic phases in a non-dispersive manner. It consists of a multitude of hollow fibres packed in a cylindrical column where the hydrocarbon and aqueous phase flow co-currently downward forming a thin film on the fibre surface. This eliminates problems associated with the principle of droplet formation and dispersion of one phase into the other, followed by conventional sulfur extraction/sweetening units. The conventional units face the problems of large phase-separation (settling) time, entrainment and carryover of caustic in the outlet stream, generation of dilute wastes, unpredictable results and product contamination. Fibre film contactor units carry out caustic extraction in an energy efficient and lower capital-intensive manner as compared with conventional caustic treatment units.
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