Patent ID: 8197675
Filing Date: 2012-06-12
Classification: C10G,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process for removing at least one contaminant from a hydrocarbon containing a first quantity of the at least one contaminant, comprising: contacting the hydrocarbon with a clay packed in a column at a temperature in the range from about 50° C. to about 120° C., wherein at least a portion of the at least one contaminant is sorbed by the clay and a clay-contaminant adduct is formed; removing the hydrocarbon from a discharge end of the column, wherein the removed hydrocarbon comprises a second quantity of the at least one contaminant, the second quantity being less than the first quantity; heating the clay and the clay-contaminant adduct in the column to a temperature in a range from about 400° C. to about 815° C. to regenerate the clay material, wherein the heating is carried out without removing the clay from the column; and re-using the regenerated clay material in further iterations of the process, wherein the hydrocarbon is a liquid in the contacting and removing, and prior to the heating, remaining hydrocarbon is removed from the column by applying suction or a vacuum to the discharge end of the column, and during the heating, the suction or vacuum is continued to pull a source of oxygen into the column.