Desulfurization and sorbent for the same

1. A sorbent composition comprising:

a promoter metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, iron, manganese, tungsten, silver, gold, copper, platinum, zinc, tin, ruthenium, molybdenum, antimony, vanadium, iridium, chromium, palladium, oxides thereof, precursors to oxides thereof, and combinations thereof, said promoter metal being present in an amount in a range of from about 1 to about 60 weight percent and wherein at least a portion of said promoter metal is a reduced-valence promoter metal having a valence which is at least one valence number less than the valence of said promoter metal in its common oxidized state;

zinc oxide in an amount in a range of from about 10 to about 90 weight percent;

a refractory metal oxide in an amount in a range of from about 5 to about 85 weight percent; and

an aluminate,

said sorbent composition having a bulk density of at least about 1.0 grams per cubic centimeter.

2. A sorbent composition according to claim 1 , wherein said promoter metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, nickel oxide, nickel oxide precursors, and combinations thereof.

3. A sorbent composition according to claim 2 , wherein at least 10 weight percent of said promoter metal has a valence 0.

4. A sorbent composition according to claim 3 , wherein said sorbent composition has a bulk density of at least about 1.2 grams per cubic centimeter.

5. A sorbent composition comprising:

a promoter metal;

zinc oxide; and

a silica source having a bulk density of at least about 10 pounds per cubic foot, said silica source further comprising at least about 50 weight percent SiO 2 and less than about 25 weight percent Al 2 O 3 ,

wherein said silica source comprises a non-expanded perlite.

6. A sorbent composition according to claim 5 , wherein said sorbent composition has a bulk density of at least about 1.0 grams per cubic centimeter.

7. A sorbent composition according to claim 5 , wherein said sorbent composition further includes an aluminate.

8. A sorbent composition according to claim 7 , wherein said promoter metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, iron, manganese, tungsten, silver, gold, copper, platinum, zinc, tin, ruthenium, molybdenum, antimony, vanadium, iridium, chromium, palladium, oxides thereof, precursors to oxides thereof, and combinations thereof.

9. A sorbent composition, comprising:

a promoter metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, iron, manganese, tungsten, silver, gold, copper, platinum, zinc, tin, ruthenium, molybdenum, antimony, vanadium, iridium, chromium, palladium, oxides thereof, precursors to oxides thereof, and combinations thereof, wherein at least 10 weight percent of said promoter metal has a valence of 0;

zinc oxide;

a silica source having a bulk density of at least about 10 pounds per cubic foot,

said silica source comprising a non-expanded perlite having a bulk density of at least about 20 pounds per cubic foot; and

an aluminate.

10. A method of preparing a sorbent composition, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) combining a zinc source, an aluminum source, and a silica source to provide a sorbent base, said silica source having a bulk density of at least about 10 pounds per cubic foot,

(b) incorporating a promoter metal with said sorbent base to provide a promoted sorbent; and

reducing the valence of said promoter metal to provide a reduced sorbent.

11. A method according to claim 10 , wherein said silica source is selected from the group consisting of diatomite, crushed expanded perlite, non-expanded perlite, silicalite, silica colloid, flame-hydrolyzed silica, silica gel, precipitated silica, and combinations thereof.

12. A method according to claim 11 , wherein said silica source is a non-expanded perlite.

13. A method according to claim 12 , wherein said silica source comprises at least about 50 percent SiO 2 and less than about 25 weight percent Al 2 O 3 .

14. A method according to claim 13 , wherein said silica source has a bulk density of at least about 40 pounds per cubic foot.

15. A method according to claim 14 , wherein said zinc source is zinc oxide, said aluminum source is a hydrated alumina, and said promoter metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, iron, manganese, tungsten, silver, gold, copper, platinum, zinc, tin, ruthenium, molybdenum, antimony, vanadium, iridium, chromium, palladium, oxides thereof, precursors to oxides thereof, and combinations thereof.

16. A method according to claim 15 , wherein said promoter metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, nickel oxide, nickel oxide precursors, and combinations thereof.

17. A sorbent composition comprising:

a promoter metal having a valence which is at least one valence number less than the valence of said promoter metal in its common oxidized state;

zinc oxide; and

a refractory metal oxide,

said sorbent composition having a bulk density of at least about 1.0 grams per cubic centimeter.

18. A sorbent composition according to claim 17 , wherein said promoter metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, nickel oxide, nickel oxide precursors, and combinations thereof.

19. A sorbent composition according to claim 17 , wherein at least 10 weight percent of said promoter metal has a valence of 0.

20. A sorbent composition according to claim 17 , wherein said silica source has a bulk density of at least about 10 pounds per cubic foot.