Removal of mercury from hydrocarbons using organic sulphur compounds or amalgam-forming metals

摘要

A process for purification of hydrocarbons comprises removing mercury by contact with a solid sorbent comprising an organic sulfur compound and/or a metal capable of amalgamation with mercury. The mercury-removal compound may be supported on silica. Preferably the organic sulfur compound is an alkylthiol, arylthiol, polythiol or thioamide. The amalgam-forming metal may be gold.