Abstract: A process for the desulfurization of a fuel cell feed stream, wherein a sulfur contaminated hydrocarbon feed stream within a fuel cell system is desulfurized by passing it over a catalyst adsorbent containing from about 30 percent to about 80 percent nickel or a nickel compound, from about 5 percent to about 45 percent silica as a carrier, from about 1 percent to about 10 percent alumina as a promoter and from about 0.01 percent to about 15 percent magnesia as a promoter. The invention also includes a fuel cell system utilizing this catalyst adsorbent.