Abstract:
A method for removal and recovery of an organic amine from a hydrocarbon stream containing the amine, including: i) mixing the hydrocarbon stream containing the amine with an aqueous inorganic acid in a volumetric ratio of hydrocarbon stream:aqueous inorganic acid of greater than 1:1-5:1, preferably 1.5:1-4:1, more preferably 3:1, ii) phase separating of hydrocarbon and aqueous phase; iii) removing the hydrocarbon phase and optionally further purifying thereof, iv) optionally recycling at least a part of the hydrocarbon phase obtained in step (iii) into mixing step (i), v) mixing the aqueous phase obtained in step (iii) with an aqueous alkaline solution, vi) phase separating of an aqueous phase and an organic phase formed, vii) removing the organic phase obtained in step (vi) and optionally further purifying thereof.