Nanocatalyst and Process for Removing Sulfur Compounds from Hydrocarbons

Nano-structured catalyst system for removing mercaptans and/or H2S from hydrocarbonous gas mixtures comprising:

• (a.) a single catalytic substance, the catalytic substance being an elemental metal or a metal oxide or a metal sulfide and the metal being selected from the group consisting of Na, V, Mn, Mo, Cd, W;
• (b.) a nano-structured support material, the support material being selected from the group consisting of single wall carbon nano-tubes, double wall carbon nano-tubes, multi wall carbon nano-tubes, nanoporous carbon, carbon nano-fibers, or mixtures thereof;
• wherein the single catalytic substance is deposited on the nano-structured support material in an amount of from about 0.05% by weight to about 9% by weight based on the total weight of the catalyst system, and wherein the catalyst system does not comprise a second or any further catalytic substance.