Method for removal of organic amines from hydrocarbon streams

1. A method for removal of an organic amine from a liquid hydrocarbon stream containing the amine, comprising:

a) adding water to the hydrocarbon stream containing the amine,

b) bubbling carbon dioxide through the hydrocarbon stream containing the amine, and

c) separating a solid phase formed containing the amine from a liquid phase.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon stream containing the amine is an outlet stream from a reactor for preparing linear alpha-olefins (LAO) or a fraction of such an outlet stream.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the organic amine is an amine, which is liquid at room temperature and normal pressure.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the organic amine has a boiling point higher than 100° C.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the water is added in an amount from 5-70% by weight relative to the total amount of hydrocarbon stream.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein bubbling is carried out for 5 to 60 min.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the flow rate of carbon dioxide is in a range from 50 to 150 cc/min based on the total amount of liquid hydrocarbon mixture present in the reaction.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the added water is at least once replaced, at least partially, by fresh water while bubbling carbon dioxide through the hydrocarbon stream.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein separating is carried out by filtration.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method is carried out in a temperature range from 30-80° C.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the amine is recovered from the solid phase by heating the solid phase in water or in an aqueous solution.

12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid hydrocarbon stream contains linear alpha-olefins (LAO), preferably C 8 -C 10 linear alpha-olefins, and optionally organic solvent.

13. The method of claim 4 , wherein the organic amine is 2-ethyl-hexyl-amine and/or n-dodecylamine.

14. The method of claim 5 , wherein, wherein the water is added in an amount of 15-60%.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the water is added in an amount of 25-50%.

16. The method of claim 6 , wherein bubbling is carried out for 10 to 50 min.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein bubbling is carried out for 20 to 40 min.

18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the method is carried out in a temperature range of 50-80° C.