Process for the demercaptanization of petroleum distillates

The demercaptanizaiton of petroleum distillates can be carriedout by sorption of the mercaptan with activated carbon andoxidation of the sorbed mercaptan to disulfide at betweenapproximately 20.degree. C. to 55.degree. C. The activated carbonused in the process is commercially readily available. Its surfacearea typically ranges from between approximately 500 to 1500m.sup.2 /g and has substantial percentage of the pores in the 10 to100 Angstrom range.

Wismann, W., & Gangwal, S. (2002). IPC No. U.S. Process for the demercaptanization of petroleum distillates. (Patent No. 6485633).