Purification of an aromatic-containing feed by solid adsorption followed by contact with molten alkali metal

Claim 1

THE PROCESS OF PURIFYING A HYDROCARBON OIL WHICH CONTAINS A MAJOR PROPORTION OF VAPORIZABLE AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS AND MINOR PROPORTIONS OF OTHER VAPORIZABLE COMPONENTS INCLUDING OLEFINIC HYDROCARBNS, PARAFFINIC HYDROCARBONS, MOISTURE, PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS, AND SULFUR COMPOUNDS, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF VAPORIZING THE IMPURE OIL, REMOVING THE MOISTURE, PARAFFINIC HYDROCARBONS, AND OLEFINIC HYDROCARBONS BY PASSING THE VAPOR THROUGH A BODY OF AN INORGANIC MOLECULAR SIEVE ADSORBENT WHICH SELECTIVELY ADSORBS SAID MOISTURE, PARAFFINIC HYDROCARBONS, AND OLEFINIC HYDROCARBONS, THEN REMOVING THE REMAINING SULFUR COMPOUNDS AND PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS BY CONTACTING THE HOT VAPOR WITH MOLTEN ALKALI METAL DEPOSITED UPON A PARTICULATE SUPPORT MATERIAL, RECOVERING THE PURIFIED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS, AND PERIODICALLY REGENERATING THE SELECTIVE ADSORBENT BY PASSING A PORTION OF THE RECOVERED, PURIFIED AROMATIC HYDROCARBON VAPORS, AT A TEMPERATURE BETWEEN ABOUT 200*C. AND 300*C. THROUGH SAID BODY OF ADSORBENT.