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.