ConocoPhillips
Process for removing mercury from crude oil

Abstract:

Methods, systems and designs are provided for removing mercury from crudes. Crude oil containing a synthetic reducing agent is heated to a temperature above 100.degree. C. and held at that temperature for a specified period of time to convert all of the forms of mercury in the oil into the elemental mercury form. The elemental mercury is then stripped from the crude oil by e.g., flashing the hot oil and/or contacting it with a gas phase.