Patent ID: 8187365

Claim:
A process for the removal of metal carbonyl from a synthesis gas stream containing nickel tetracarbonyl, the process comprises the steps of: (a) adsorption of the nickel tetracarbonyl by contacting the synthesis gas stream with activated carbon to obtain activated carbon enriched in nickel tetracarbonyl and a synthesis gas stream depleted of nickel tetracarbonyl; and (b) thereafter, desorption of nickel tetracarbonyl by contacting the activated carbon enriched in nickel tetracarbonyl with a CO-containing gas comprising at least 0.5 volume % CO to obtain a regenerated activated carbon depleted of nickel tetracarbonyl and CO-containing gas enriched in nickel tetracarbonyl, wherein the temperature at which the nickel tetracarbonyl desorption takes place is higher than the temperature at which the nickel tetracarbonyl adsorption takes place.