Abstract: A process for the fixed-bed sweetening of sour petroleum distillates with fraction temperatures of from about 125.degree. to about 350.degree. C. and having an acid number of 0.03 mg of KOH/g or higher. The reduction of the acidity and the oxidation of the mercaptans necessary for the sweetening of the distillates are carried out together in a single stage by passing the distillate, in the presence of an oxidizing agent but in the absence of a basic solution, and particularly of an alkali-metal hydroxide solution, over an oxidation catalyst whose specific surface ranges from 1 to 10 m.sup.2 /gram, and preferably from 2 to 6 m.sup.2 /gram, and whose micropore volume ranges from 0.01 to 0.10 cm.sup.3 /gram, and preferably from 0.02 to 0.05 cm.sup.3 /gram.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the sweetening of a petroleum fraction in a fixed catalytic bed in the presence of an oxidizing agent, by catalytic oxidation of the mercaptans which it contains, in the presence of a catalyst in the form of a support impregnated with a metal chelate and in the absence of an aqueous base, the water content of the support is maintained within a predetermined range of values by action on the solvent power of the feedstock for the water of the support as a function of temperature.