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

A simple, low temperature method for the removal of thiols from a hydrocarbon stream was presented. Thiols are common in hydrotreated gasoline, resulting from the reaction of olefins with H₂S present in the HDS reactor. All of the tested oxides and hydroxides of Pb, metallic Pb wire with a surface oxide coating, HgO, Ba(OH)₂, and BaO formed stable, insoluble thiolates of the alkanethiols. These oxides did not react with any of the other organo-sulfur compounds tested. The thiolates were insoluble in cyclohexane, toluene, acetone, and water at room temperature. Most of the required unit operations had low energy requirements and low reagent material costs.