Patent ID: 7267761

Claim:
A process for reducing sulfur content in a hydrocarbon feedstock containing sulfur, the process comprising: (a) contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with a Fractionation Zone to produce under catalytic distillation conditions at least Fraction ( 1 ) and Fraction ( 2 ), wherein each fraction contains sulfur, and Fraction ( 1 ) has a final boiling point that is lower than that of Fraction ( 2 ), (b) contacting Fraction ( 1 ) with a Membrane Separation Zone, said Membrane Separation Zone containing a membrane having a sufficient flux and selectivity to separate a sulfur-enriched permeate fraction and a sulfur deficient retentate fraction, and said sulfur enriched permeate fraction being enriched in sulfur compared to Fraction ( 1 ); (c) recovering the sulfur deficient retentate fraction; (d) contacting said sulfur enriched permeate fraction of (b) and said Fraction ( 2 ) of (a), separately or as a combination, with a Desulfurization Zone to reduce the sulfur content of the sulfur enriched permeate fraction and Fraction ( 2 ); and (e) recovering a hydrocarbon stream from the Desulfurization Zone wherein the hydrocarbon stream has a reduced sulfur content, relative to the sulfur-containing feedstock.