Product/process/application for removal of mercury from liquid hydrocarbon

• US 5,202,301 A
• Filed: 11/22/1989
• Issued: 04/13/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Calgon Carbon Corporation (Kuraray Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Calgon Carbon Corporation (Kuraray Company Limited)
• Inventors: McNamara, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Theodore
• Assistant Examiner(s): Diemler, William C.
• Application Number:
  US07/441,034
• Time in Patent Office: 1,238 Days
• Field of Search: 208/251 R, 208/253, 502/181, 502/417, 502/182, 502/183, 502/184, 585/823
• US Class Current: 502/417
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/0229 Compounds of Fe
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/0233 Compounds of Cu, Ag, Au
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/0237 Compounds of Cu
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/0244 Compounds of Zn
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/0248 Compounds of B, Al, Ga, In, Tl B01J20/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/0251 Compounds of Si, Ge, Sn, Pb B01J20/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/0288 Halides of compounds other than those provided for in B01J20/046
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/046 containing halogens, e.g. halides
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/20 comprising free carbon; comprising carbon obtained by carbonising processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/28004 Sorbent size or size distribution, e.g. particle size
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/28016 Particle form
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3204 Inorganic carriers, supports or substrates
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3236 containing metal, other than zeolites, e.g. oxides, hydroxides, sulphides or salts
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2220/4825 Polysaccharides or cellulose materials, e.g. starch, chitin, sawdust, wood, straw, cotton
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2220/56 Use in the form of a bed
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2220/58 Use in a single column
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 2300/205 Metal content
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 25/003 Specific sorbent material, not covered by C10G25/02 or C10G25/03

Abstract

Impregnated carbon adsorbents for the removal of mercury from liquid hydrocarbons are used in a variety of applications. The activated carbon impregnated adsorbents in the present invention remain effective in removing mercury. Generally, these activated carbons are comprised of an activated carbon adsorbent impregnated with a composition containing metal halide or other reducing halide, supplemented according to the desired characteristics with other elements. The formulation of the impregnants in the present invention can be varied to adjust the performance characteristics so as to meet the desired mercury removal performance criteria, to achieve enhanced removal of organic bound mercury from liquid hydrocarbon, and to have other advantages useful in a variety of applications. These impregnated carbon adsorbents possess desirable qualities regarding their ability to remove even trace levels of mercury from liquid hydrocarbon without a leaching effect of the impregnants used.

Claims

1. An activated carbon adsorbent for the removal or mercury from liquid hydrocarbon, said carbon adsorbent being impregnated with a reactant metal halide wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of metals from Groups 1a and 2a of the periodic table of elements and said halide being selected from the group consisting of I, Br and Cl, said metal halide comprising from about 0.5% to 25% by weight of said impregnated carbon adsorbent.

2. An activated carbon adsorbent for the removal of mercury from liquid hydrocarbon as set forth in claim 1 wherein said metal in the reactant metal halide is comprised of a metal selected from the group consisting of K and Ca.

3. An activated carbon adsorbent for the removal of mercury from liquid hydrocarbon, said carbon adsorbent being impregnated with a reducing agent, wherein said reducing agent is an ion selected from the group consisting of Sn⁺² and Ti⁺², said reducing agent comprising from about 0.5% to 25% by weight of said impregnated carbon adsorbent, and wherein said carbon adsorbent is additionally impregnated with an amalgamating agent selected from the group consisting of Ag, Zn, Al, Au and alkali elements from the periodic table of elements, said amalgamating agent comprising from about 0.5% to 15% by weight of said impregnated carbon adsorbent.