Adsorbing olefins with a copper-exchanged type y zeolite

Claim 1

In a process for the separation of olefins from a feed mixture comprising olefins and saturated hydrocarbons which process comprises the steps of: a. contacting said feed mixture with a bed of a zeolite adsorbent at adsorption conditions to effect the selective retention of said olefins by said adsorbent; b. withdrawing from said bed of adsorbent a raffinate stream comprising less selectively retained saturated hydrocarbons; c. contacting the adsorbent bed with a Desorbent at desorption conditions to effect desorption of said olefins from said adsorbent; d. withdrawing a stream containing olefins and desorbent; wherein an improvement comprises employing a zeolite adsorbent prepared by the steps of: a. contacting a sodium form Type Y structured zeolite with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble copper salt at ion-exchange conditions to effect replacement of a portion of the sodium by copper cations; b. dehydrating at least a portion of said zeolite by heating dehydration conditions; and, c. contacting the zeolite with a mixture comprising a hydrocarbon and a cuprous salt, said hydrogen being capable of forming a soluble complex with the cuprous salt and passing within the pore openings of said zeolite.