Patent ID: 7449049
Filing Date: 2008-11-11
Classification: B01D,C10L,Y02C

Abstract:
1. A method of purifying a natural gas containing mercaptans, comprising the following stages: a) contacting the natural gas with an adsorbent material so as to obtain a purified gas, the mercaptans being adsorbed by the adsorbent material, then b) contacting the mercaptan-laden adsorbent material obtained in stage a) with a stream comprising at least 50% by volume of steam so as to obtain a mercaptan-laden fluid and a water-saturated adsorbent material, then c) contacting the water-saturated adsorbent material obtained in stage b) with a dry gas so as to desorb the water from the adsorbent material and to obtain a water-laden gas, and wherein the steam contained in the fluid obtained in stage b) is condensed and the mercaptans are separated from the condensed water.