Edeleanu process

The Edeleanu process is a type of extraction process in the petroleum refining industry, whereby liquid sulfur dioxide is used to extract aromatics from kerosene pool, Liquid SO₂ selectively dissolves the aromatics leaving behind the low aromatic content kerosene as the finished product. The aromatic extract is then separated from SO₂ through rectification and SO₂ recirculation. By using a blend of sulfur dioxide and benzene, some improvement can be effected, more suitable solvents such as furfural, phenol and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone are used.