Patent ID: 7053256
Filing Date: 2006-05-30
Classification: B01J,C10G

Abstract:
1. A process for removing at least one of thiophene and thiophene compounds from liquid fuel, the process comprising the step of: contacting the liquid fuel with a dehydrated adsorbent which preferentially adsorbs the at least one of thiophene and thiophene compounds, at a selected temperature and pressure, thereby producing a non-adsorbed component and a thiophene/thiophene compound-rich adsorbed component, wherein the dehydrated adsorbent comprises at least one of a metal and a metal ion, the at least one of metal and metal ion adapted to form π-complexation bonds with the at least one of thiophene and thiophene compounds, and wherein the preferential adsorption occurs by π-complexation, and wherein, prior to contacting the liquid fuel with the dehydrated adsorbent, the process comprises pretreating an adsorbent to form the dehydrated adsorbent, the pretreatment process comprising the steps of: calcining the adsorbent between about 350° C. and about 450° C. in an inert, dry atmosphere for an amount of time ranging between about 5 hours and about 20 hours; and then cooling the adsorbent.