Patent ID: 7666298
Filing Date: 2010-02-23
Classification: B01D,B01J,C10G

Abstract:
1. A desulfurization process comprising: (a) introducing a gaseous hydrocarbon-containing fluid into a fixed fluidized bed reactor via a hydrocarbon inlet, wherein said reactor defines a reaction zone and a disengagement zone, wherein said disengagement zone is disposed above said reaction zone, wherein said disengagement zone is broader than said reaction zone, wherein said reactor comprises a series of substantially horizontal, vertically spaced, cross-hatched baffle groups disposed in said reaction zone; (b) introducing a plurality of solid sorbent particles comprising zinc oxide into said reaction zone via a sorbent inlet located below at least a portion of said baffle groups; (c) forming a fluidized bed of said sorbent particles in said reaction zone by causing said hydrocarbon-containing fluid to flow upwardly through said sorbent particles, wherein said fluidized bed has a particle density of at least about 20 lb/ft (d) transferring sulfur from said hydrocarbon-containing fluid to said fluidized sorbent particles wherein at least a portion of said zinc oxide is converted to zinc sulfide to thereby form sulfur-loaded sorbent particles.