METHOD FOR REMOVING SULFUR TO ULTRA LOW LEVELS FOR PROTECTION OF REFORMING CATALYSTS

摘要

Provided is a method for removing residual sulfur from a hydrotreated naphth a feedstock (1). The process comprises contacting the naphtha feedstock (1) with a first solid sulfur sorbent (2) comprising a metal on a support to thereby form a first effluent. The effluent is then contacted with a sulfur conversion catalyst in reactor (6) comprising a Group VIII metal in the presence of hydrogen, with the resulting effluent being contacted with a second solid sulfur sorbent (7) containing a Group IA or IIA metal, to thereby lower the sulfur content of the feedstock to less than 10 ppb, and to as low as 1 ppb or less. The feedstock can then the safely used with highly sulfur sensitive zeolitic reforming catalysts without adversely affecting the useful life of the catalyst.