Patent ID: 6537443
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: C10G

Abstract:
A method for removing mercury from a liquid hydrocarbon feed comprising:(a) mixing said liquid hydrocarbon feed with particulate solids comprising a sulfur-containing compound supported on diatomite, said sulfur-containing compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metal sulfides, alkaline earth metal sulfides, alkali metal polysulfides, alkaline earth metal polysulfides, alkali metal trithiocarbonates, and an organic compound containing at least one sulfur atom that is reactive with mercury, wherein said diatomite is substantially free of metal cations that form water insoluble metal polysulfides having a Ksp of 10âˆ’6 or less; and b) separating said particulate solids from the effluent of step (a) to produce liquid hydrocarbons having a reduced mercury concentration as compared to said liquid hydrocarbon feed.