| abstract |
The present invention has developed a method for removing mercaptans from a gaseous stream, comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a first mercaptan-containing gaseous stream containing at least a mercaptan of the general formula R-SH, where R represents an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and acidic components in an amount of from 0 to 20% by volume, b) contacting the mercaptan-containing gaseous stream with an absorption medium containing a base and a substituted disulfide, both components being present in predetermined amounts, where the substituted disulfide has the general formula R-SS-R, wherein R1 and R4 are carbon-containing substituents, wherein the corresponding thiols R-SH and R-SH have a vapor pressure lower than the vapor pressure of any thiol R-SH; and at least one of the substituents R and R represents an electron withdrawing group. |