GB820182A - Improvements in or relating to the production of gasoline - Google Patents

Abstract

A gasoline of improved stability is prepared by the addition of an oxidation inhibitor, represented by <PICT:0820182/III/1> wherein R1 and R2 are alkyl groups having not more than 4 carbon atoms, to a gasoline wholly or partially derived from a thermal or catalytically cracked and distilled petroleum fraction whose mercaptan sulphur content has been reduced to less than 0.0005% weight/weight. The cracked gasoline may be blended with gasolines produced other than by thermal or catalytic cracking, for example, straight-run spirits or reformed spirits preferably with boiling ranges between 30 DEG to 210 DEG C., and either the separate blending components, when necessary, or the blend are treated to reduce their mercaptan sulphur contents to less than 0.0005% wt./wt. before the addition of the oxidation inhibitor. The inhibitor may be added to the blend or to one of the components. The mercaptan sulphur content may be reduced by copper chloride, hypochlorite or plumbite sweetening, or acid washing. The preferred example of the oxidation inhibitor is N-N1-di-sec-butyl p-phenylene diamine.