Wet air oxidation of refinery spent caustic

Abstract Petroleum as processed in a typical refinery has acid components which must either be eliminated or substantially reduced in concentration prior to the final product stage. These acid components consist of both organic and inorganic fractions. The principal inorganic components include sulfur and hydrogen sulfide, with the organic components being cresylic and napthenic acids and mercaptides. These are either components of the crude oil or are created during the refining process. Removal of these components can be accomplished by caustic scrubbing or extraction which produces water soluble salts of the acid components and effectively separates them from the hydrocarbon stream.