Abstract: Processes using heterogeneous adsorbents are disclosed for purification of relatively impure unsaturated hydrocarbons such as olefins, which are typically produced by thermal cracking of suitable hydrocarbon feedstocks, by passing a feed stream, containing acetylenic impurities, and, optionally, saturated hydrocarbon gases, through a particulate bed predominantly comprising a support material having high a surface area on which is dispersed at least one metallic element. Adsorption is carried out in an essentially dihydrogen-free atmosphere within the bed, effecting selective and reversible adsorption and/or complexing of the contained acetylenic contaminants with the adsorbent, thereby obtaining purified effluent which contains less than a predetermined level of the acetylenic impurities. Selective and reversible adsorption and/or complexing of the contained acetylenic impurities with the adsorbent is continued until levels of acetylenic impurities in the effluent stream increase to a predetermined level.

Abstract: Processes using heterogeneous adsorbents are disclosed for purification of olefins such as are typically produced by thermal cracking of suitable hydrocarbon feedstocks, by passing a stream of olefin having from 2 to about 8 carbon atoms, containing acetylenic impurities having the same or similar carbon content, and optionally saturated hydrocarbon gases, through a particulate bed of predominantly a support material having high surface area on which is dispersed at least one metallic element. Adsorption is carried out in an essentially dihydrogen-free atmosphere within the bed, selective and reversible adsorption and/or complexing of the contained acetylenic contaminants with the adsorbent, and thereby obtain purified effluent which contains less than a predetermined level of the acetylenic impurities.