Process for the removal of thiols from a hydrocarbon stream by a heterogeneous reaction with a metal oxide

Alkanethiols, common in hydrotreated gasoline, can be selectively recovered from a hydrocarbon stream by heterogeneous reaction with oxides of Pb, Hg(II), and Ba. Alkanethiols of lengths n-C6, n-C8, and n-C12 reacted heterogeneously with these metal oxides to form stable thiolates that are solid and insoluble in aqueous and organic solvents. The heterogeneous reaction of thiols with lead oxide is the basis for a proposed desulfurization process. The process allows the original thiols to be recovered and the Pb is recycled. The process is suggested for trimming hydrotreated gasoline products to meet low-sulfur regulations. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 228th ACS National Meeting (Philadelphia, PA 8/22-26/2004).