Exxon Research and Engineering Company

Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc.

Ramdas Venkatram

James L Carter

George E Milliman

John C Roarty

Theodorus M Wortel

The present invention is directed to a process for removing impurities from hydrocarbon streams, preferably light ends, such as propylene and ethylene, which is preferably in the liquid phase, by contacting the hydrocarbon stream containing an initial amount of an impurity with a chemical adsorbent which is composed of a modified alumina having a surface area within the range of about 10 m.sup.2 /g to about 300 m.sup.2 /g and a pore volume within the range of about 0.1 mL/g to about 1 mL/g under contacting conditions effective to result in a purified hydrocarbon stream containing a reduced amount of impurities, i.e., less than about 0.5% relative to the initial amount of the acid impurity present in the hydrocarbon stream, and more preferably within the 10 ppb range.

Process for upgrading the quality of light ends

A zeolite-based catalyst containing a metal oxide or oxide complex is dried by heating while in contact with the gas. Heat input to the catalyst and hence the rate of catalyst temperature increase are controlled so as to limit the rate of water evolution from the catalyst and the water vapor concentration in the gas, thereby to maintain the metal oxide or complex in dispersed form within the pores of the zeolite.

Growing community of inventors

Morris Township, NJ, United States of America

Ramdas Venkatram