Removal of sulfur components from low sulfur gasoline using copper exchanged zeolite Y at ambient temperature

Copper-exchanged zeolite Y has been shown to be an effective material for removal of a variety of sulfur species from hydrocarbon streams, and both monovalent (Cu(I)) and divalent (Cu(II)Y) materials have been claimed to be effective. In this work we discuss experiments aimed at providing a direct performance comparison between the two copper-containing materials. Cu(I)Y zeolite is somewhat more effective than Cu(II)Y in removing thiophene from various fuel blends. Capacity of both materials for thiophene diminishes markedly when aromatics and/or olefins are present, and Cu(I)Y immediately turns dark on exposure to such feeds. Both materials demonstrate ability to convert thiols to disulfides at ambient temperature. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.