Desulfurization and novel sorbents for same

1. A process for the removal of sulfur from a stream of a cracked-gasoline or a diesel fuel which comprises:

(a) contacting said stream with a sorbent composition comprising zinc oxide, expanded perlite, alumina, and a promotor metal wherein said promotor metal is present in a substantially reduced valence state and in an amount which well effect the removal of sulfur from said stream in a desulfurization zone under conditions such that there is formed a desulfurized fluid stream of cracked-gasoline or diesel fuel and a sulfurized sorbent;

(b) separating the resulting desulfurized fluid stream from said sulfurized sorbent;

(c) regenerating at least a portion of the separated sulfurized sorbent in a regeneration zone so as to remove at least a portion of the sulfur absorbed thereon;

(d) reducing the resulting desulfurized sorbent in an activation zone so as to provide a reduced valence promotor metal content therein which will effect the removal of sulfur from a stream of a cracked-gasoline or diesel fuel when contacted with same; and thereafter

(e) returning at least a portion of the resulting desulfurized, reduced sorbent to said desulfurization zone.

2. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said desulfurization is carried out at a temperature in the range of about 100° F. to about 10000° F. and a pressure in the range of about 15 to about 1500 psia for a time sufficient to effect the removal of sulfur from said stream.

3. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said regeneration is carried out at a temperature in the range of about 100° F. to about 1500° F. and a pressure in the range of about 10 to about 1500 psia for a time sufficient to effect the removal of at least a portion of sulfur from the sulfurized sorbent.

4. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is employed air as a regeneration agent in said regeneration zone.

5. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said regenerated sorbent is subjected to reduction with hydrogen in said activation zone which is maintained at a temperature in the range of about 100° F. to about 1500° F. and at a pressure in the range of about 15 to about 1500 psia and for a period of time sufficient to effect a substantial reduction of the valence of the promotor metal content of said sorbent.

6. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said separated sulfurized sorbent is stripped prior to introduction into said regeneration zone.

7. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said regenerated sorbent is stripped prior to introduction to said activation zone.