Use of zinc ferrite-based solids in a process for deep desulfurization of hydrocarbon fractions

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for desulfurization of a non-oxidized hydrocarbon feedstock, comprising organic sulfur compounds, by adsorption, especially chemisorption of sulfur on a composition in bulk form consisting essentially of 70% by weight of zinc ferrite and optionally iron oxides or zinc oxides. The process is performed in the presence of hydrogen at a temperature of between 200° C. and 450° C.

1 . A process for desulfurization of a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising sulfur compounds, comprising subjecting said feedstock, in the presence of hydrogen at a temperature of between 200° C. and 450° C., to chemisorption on a bulk adsorption agent consisting essentially of zinc ferrite. 
     
     
         2 . A process according to  claim 1 , conducted under a pressure of between 0.2 and 3.5 MPa. 
     
     
         3 . A process according to  claim 1 , conducted with an hourly volumetric flow rate of the feedstock to be treated of between 0.1 h −1  and 10 h −1 . 
     
     
         4 . A process according to  claim 1 , conducted with a hydrogen/hydrocarbon feedstock volumetric ratio of between 5 and 400. 
     
     
         5 . A process according to  claim 1 , in which the hydrocarbon feedstock is a gasoline, kerosene or diesel fraction. 
     
     
         6 . A process according to  claim 1 , in which the hydrocarbon feedstock is a diesel fraction. 
     
     
         7 . A process according to  claim 1 , in which the hydrocarbon feedstock comprises cyclic sulfur compounds. 
     
     
         8 . A process according to  claim 1 , in which the bulk adsorption agent comprises more than 80% by weight of zinc ferrite. 
     
     
         9 . A process according to  claim 1 , in which the bulk adsorption agent comprises more than 98% by weight of zinc ferrite. 
     
     
         10 . A process according to  claim 2 , in which the pressure is between 0.5 and 3 MPa. 
     
     
         11 . A process according to  claim 1 , further consisting essentially of zinc oxide and/or iron oxide. 
     
     
         12 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock is a non-oxidized feedstock. 
     
     
         13 . A process according to  claim 11 , wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock is a non-oxidized feedstock. 
     
     
         14 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the bulk adsorption agent is a free flowing mass of powder having a particle size of between 80 and 125 microns wherein the zinc ferrite consists essentially of crystallites having a size between 20 and 5000° Å. 
     
     
         15 . A process according to  claim 14 , wherein the size of the crystallites is between 100 and 1000 Å. 
     
     
         16 . A process according to  claim 15 , in which the bulk adsorption agent comprises more than 98% by weight of zinc ferrite.