Removing contaminant from hydrocarbonaceous fluid

A method for removing a contaminant of at least one of arsenic and selenium from a synthetic hydrocarbonaceous fluid comprising:

• a. providing a plurality of particles of a contaminant-removing material that is capable of removing said contaminant from said hydrocarbonaceous fluid and effecting deposition of said contaminant within said particles of said contaminant-removing material, said contaminant-removing material including a solid, high surface area carrier material having a pore volume of at least 0.8 cubic centimeters per gram (cc/gm) with a major portion of the pore volume having a mean effective pore radius greater than 100 A and feeder pores having radii greater than 1,000 A running therethrough for allowing said hydrocarbonaceous fluid to flow thereinto, said particles carrying an active material at least adjacent said pores for effecting removal of said contaminant from said hydrocarbonaceous fluid;
• said carrier material being selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, magnesia, zirconia, thoria, zinc oxide, chromium oxide, clay, kieselguhr, fuller's earth, pumice, bauxite and combinations thereof;
• said active material being selected from the group consisting of iron;
• cobalt;
• nickel;
• at least one oxide of the metals of iron, cobalt and nickel;
• at least one sulfide of said metals;
• and combinations thereof;
• and
• b. contacting said hydrocarbonaceous fluid with said contaminant-removing material in a reducing atmosphere, in the substantial absence of water, and under an elevated temperature and pressure;
• whereby at least part of said contaminant is removed from said hydrocarbonaceous fluid by way of said particles of contaminant-removing material.