Appeal No. 1998-2622
Application No. 08/530,684
sulfone diluent requires the subsequent removal of the sulfone
from the hydrocarbon stream, i.e., reduction of the amount of
sulfone from about 4000 ppmw to less than about 100 ppmw
(specification, pages 1-2). According to appellants, their
invention is directed to a method of removing sulfone from a 1
liquid hydrocarbon stream including the steps of mixing the
liquid hydrocarbon stream with liquid hydrofluoric acid (HF)
and separating this admixture into a hydrocarbon phase and an
acid phase, where the hydrocarbon phase has a concentration of
sulfone less than the concentration of sulfone in the liquid
hydrocarbon stream (Brief, page 2).
Claim 1 is illustrative of the subject matter on appeal
and a copy of this claim is reproduced below:
1. A method for removing sulfone from a liquid
hydrocarbon stream, said liquid hydrocarbon stream
having a concentration of sulfone in the range of
from about 150 ppmw to about 4000 ppmw, said
method comprises the steps of:
mixing within a mixing zone said liquid hydrocarbon
stream with a liquid acid, said liquid acid comprising
HF, to form an admixture of said liquid hydrocarbon
stream and said liquid acid;
1Appellants disclose a general formula defining the
sulfones suitable for use in their invention (specification,
page 9, l. 11 et seq.).
2
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