Patent ID: 8314281

Claim:
A process for isomerizing a paraffinic stream containing paraffins and sulfur-compound poisons for an isomerization catalyst comprising steps: 1) sending said paraffinic stream through a sulfur guard bed to remove said sulfur compounds from the paraffinic feedstock to produce a paraffinic stream having a reduced sulfur content, wherein said sulfur guard bed comprises sorbents comprising CuO supported on an alumina substrate and about 0.001 to 2.5% by weight of a chloride additive, wherein said sulfur sorbents are prepared by steps: i) mixing basic copper carbonates CuCO 3 .Cu(OH) 2 and alumina, and water to form beads, ii) adding NaCl or KCl to the beads of step (i); iii) activating the beads of step (ii) by heat treating at a temperature ranging from 280 to 500° C.; 2 ) isomerizing said paraffinic stream having a reduced sulfur content of step (1) in the presence of said isomerization catalyst to produce an isomerized paraffinic product.