FIELD: crude oil treatment. SUBSTANCE: hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans are affected by aqueous solution containing formaldehyde, organic nitrogen bases (primary and secondary amines, alkanolamines, and urea), ammonia, and sodium hydroxide and/or sodium carbonate to form less toxic compounds. In particular, per 1 mol of sulfur compounds, 0.8 to 10 mol formaldehyde, 0.3 to 5 mol nitrogen-containing compound or mixture thereof, and 0.001 to 0.05 mol sodium hydroxide or soda are added. Reagents are added either in their aqueous solutions or in the form of preliminarily prepared mixture. Instead of water, exhausted aqueous solution can be utilized. Concentration of amines in water lies between 3 and 35%. Reaction temperature ranges from 0 to 60 C. Process can be accelerated by addition of up to 1 mol elementary sulfur and up to 0.1 cu.nm air per 1 mol of hydrogen sulfide and mercaptan sulfur. EFFECT: reduced reagent and power consumption. 9 cl, 2 tbl, 2 ex
