Patent ID: 6955752

Claim:
A process for the removal of sulfur from a stream of a cracked-gasoline or a diesel fuel which comprises: (a) contacting said stream with a sorbent composition comprising zinc oxide, expanded perlite, alumina, and a promotor metal wherein said promotor metal is present in a substantially reduced valence state and in an amount which well effect the removal of sulfur from said stream in a desulfurization zone under conditions such that there is formed a desulfurized fluid stream of cracked-gasoline or diesel fuel and a sulfurized sorbent; (b) separating the resulting desulfurized fluid stream from said sulfurized sorbent; (c) regenerating at least a portion of the separated sulfurized sorbent in a regeneration zone so as to remove at least a portion of the sulfur absorbed thereon; (d) reducing the resulting desulfurized sorbent in an activation zone so as to provide a reduced valence promotor metal content therein which will effect the removal of sulfur from a stream of a cracked-gasoline or diesel fuel when contacted with same; and thereafter (e) returning at least a portion of the resulting desulfurized, reduced sorbent to said desulfurization zone.