| abstract |
Removal of impure compounds containing one or more heteroatoms of sulphur, oxygen or nitrogen from hydrocarbon streams comprises: (a) adsorbing the impure materials using an adsorber made of silica gel optionally modified with group IVb, Vb, VIb, VIII, Ib, IIb metals or tin, lead or bismuth at 0-150 deg C and 1-20 atm.; (b) scrubbing, only in the case when the silica gel is modified, with polar solvents or hydrocarbons; and (c) regenerating to remove the adsorbed materials by heat treating in an inert gas stream at 100-200 deg C. |