Patent ID: 7201839
Filing Date: 2007-04-10
Classification: B01D,B01J,C10G

Abstract:
1. A process for the removal of sulfur from a hydrocarbon stream comprising: (a) contacting said hydrocarbon stream with a composition consisting of a metal oxide, a silica-containing material, an aluminum-containing material selected from the group consisting of alumina, aluminate, and combinations thereof, a gallium-containing material, and a promoter metal wherein at least a portion of said promoter metal is present as a reduced valence promoter and in an amount which will effect the removal of sulfur from said hydrocarbon stream in a desulfurization zone under conditions such that there is formed a desulfurized hydrocarbon stream and a sulfurized composition; (b) separating said desulfurized hydrocarbon stream from said sulfurized composition thereby forming a separated desulfurized hydrocarbon stream and a separated sulfurized composition; (c) regenerating at least a portion of said separated sulfurized composition in a regeneration zone so as to remove at least a portion of the sulfur contained therein and/or thereon thereby forming a regenerated composition; (d) reducing said regenerated composition in an activation zone so as to provide a reduced composition having a reduced valence promoter metal content therein which will effect the removal of sulfur from a hydrocarbon stream when contacted with same; and thereafter (e) returning at least a portion of said reduced composition to said desulfurization zone.