COS is selectively removed with respect to CO.sub.2 from a
hydrocarbonaceous fluid stream which contains CO.sub.2 and COS. Examples
of the fluid stream include a gas stream, for example natural gas,
synthesis gas from heavy oil or heavy residues or refinery gas, or from
liquid or liquefied hydrocarbons, for example LPG (Liquefied Petroleum
Gas) or NGL (Natural Gas Liquids). The process is carried out by (1)
intimately contacting the fluid stream in an absorption or extraction zone
with a scrubbing liquor consisting of an aqueous amine solution containing
from 1.5 to 5 mol/l of an aliphatic alkanolamine having of from 2 to 12
carbon atoms and from 0.8 to 1.7 mol/l of at least one activator selected
from the group consisting of piperazine, methyl piperazine and morpholine,
(2) removing the COS essentially completely from the fluid stream, and (3)
separating the substantially COS-decontaminated fluid stream and the
COS-loaded scrubbing liquor and discharging them from the absorption or
extraction zone.
