Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the removal of sulphur compounds from a hydrocarbon stream, especially a gaseous hydrocarbon gas stream, comprising said sulphur compounds, which process comprises contacting said gas stream with an adsorbent comprising a zeolite having a pore diameter of at least 5 ? to adsorb the sulphur compounds thereon, the adsorption process followed by a regeneration process of used, loaded adsorbent by contacting the said loaded adsorbent with a regeneration gas stream having a relative water humidity less than 100%, especially less than 80%. Suitably the regeneration is followed by a dry regeneration treatment. The invention further relates to a process for the regeneration of adsorbent comprising a zeolite having a pore diameter of at least 5 ? loaded with sulphur compounds by contacting the adsorbent with a regeneration gas stream having a relative water humidity less than 100%, especially less than 80%. Suitably the regeneration is followed by a dry regeneration treatment.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the removal of hydrogen sulphide, mercaptans and optionally carbon dioxide and carbonyl sulphide from a gas stream comprising hydrogen sulphide, mercaptans and optionally carbon dioxide and carbonyl sulphide, by removing in a first step most of the hydrogen sulphide, part of the, mercaptans and optionally part or most of the carbon dioxide and carbonyl sulphide by washing the gas stream with an aqueous washing solution comprising 10 to 40 wt % based on total solution of water, 10 to 45 wt % based on total solution of a physical solvent and 20 to 60 wt % based on total solution of an amine, which first removal step is followed by a second removal step in which mercaptans are removed by means of molecular sieves, in which process the amount of mercaptans which is removed by the aqueous washing stream is between 60 and 96 wt % (of total removed mercaptans in steps one and two), and the amount which is removed by the mol sieves is between 40 and 4 wt % (of total removed mercap