Patent ID: 7517389
Filing Date: 2009-04-14
Classification: B01D,C10G,C10L,Y02C

Abstract:
1. A process for removing water and sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon stream containing water and sulfur compounds selected from the group consisting of hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfides, mercaptans, especially C 1 -C 6 mercaptans, organic disulfides, especially di-C 1 -C 4 -alkyl sulphides, organic disulfides, especially di-C 1 -C 4 -alkyl disulfides, thiophene compounds, aromatic mercaptans, especially phenyl mercaptan, and mixtures thereof, wherein the total amount of said sulfur compounds contained in the hydrocarbon stream is up to 3 vol %, based on total hydrocarbon stream, by adsorbing at least 60 wt % of the water contained in said hydrocarbon stream therefrom onto a first zeolite having a pore diameter of less than 5 Å; and thereafter, contacting said hydrocarbon stream with an adsorbent comprising a second zeolite having a pore diameter of at least 5 Å to adsorb the sulfur compounds thereon to thereby provide a loaded adsorbent, followed by a regeneration of said loaded adsorbent in the presence of water by contacting said loaded adsorbent with a regeneration gas stream comprising an inert gas or an inert gas mixture having a relative humidity of between 5% and 60%, said regeneration being conducted at a temperature of between 200 and 400° C. and a pressure between 30 and 120 bara, whereby an absorbent having significantly reduced degradation/ageing is obtained.