QUICK REMOVAL OF MERCAPTANS FROM HYDROCARBONS USING A DISUBSTITUTED AZODICARBOXYLATE

Disclosed herein is a method for scavenging sulphur-containing compounds, such as mercaptans and/or hydrogen sulphide, from a hydrocarbon fluid, wherein the method comprises adding to the hydrocarbon fluid an effective sulphur-containing compounds scavenging amount, preferably from 8 to about 20 parts by weight based on 1 part as sulphur, of at least one disubstituted azodicarboxylate of the formula R1OOCN=NCOOR2, wherein R1 and R2 are independently alkyl groups, alkenyl groups and aromatic groups having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, (particularly preferred hydrocarbon fluids being selected from the group consisting of crude oil, naphthas, gasoline, oil field condensates, residual fuels, petroleum distillates, light hydrocarbons, dry gas streams, parafifinic solvents, fuels comprising oxygenated compounds, biodiesel, and mixtures thereof, where it is not necessary that the mixture of the fluid and the scavenger be subjected to any particular temperature necessary to scavenge the sulphur-containing compound). Also disclosed is a hydrocarbon composition having a reduced concentration of sulphur containing compounds, such as hydrogen sulphide and/or mercaptans, wherein the hydrocarbon composition comprises: a hydrocarbon fluid; at least one sulphur-containing compound; an effective sulphur-containing compound scavenging amount of at least one disubstituted azodicarboxylate of the formula R1OOCN=NCOOR2, wherein R1 and R2 are independently alkyl groups, alkenyl groups and aromatic groups having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, where at least some of the additive has reacted with the sulphur-containing compound.