The present invention is generally directed to removing a
trace element from a liquid
hydrocarbon feed. The liquid
hydrocarbon feed, containing the
trace element, is mixed with the water along with a
hydrocarbon-soluble additive. While being mixed, a compound, which in some cases is preferably insoluble, is formed by the hydrocarbon-soluble additive chemically reacting with the
trace element. A phase separation device, such as a
desalter or an oil-water separator, receives the oil-water
emulsion containing the compound and resolves the mixture to produce the compound,
effluent brine, and
effluent liquid hydrocarbon with a
reduced concentration of the trace element as compared to the liquid hydrocarbon feed. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to removing
elemental mercury from a liquid hydrocarbon feed. A hydrocarbon-soluble
sulfur-containing additive, typically an organic
polysulfide, is mixed with the liquid hydrocarbon feed and water. The hydrocarbon-soluble,
sulfur-containing additive reacts with the mercury, rapidly forming an agglomeration of mercuric
sulfide which is then dispensed with the
effluent brine or the effluent liquid hydrocarbon.