A process for the treatment of a light cracked naphtha is disclosed wherein the
light cracked naphtha is first subjected to thioetherification and fractionation
into two boiling fractions. The lower boiling fraction is removed as overheads
for later recombination with the product and the higher boiling fraction is combined
with a heavy cracked naphtha and subjected to simultaneous hydrodesulfurization
and fractionation to separate the higher boiling fraction from the heavy cracked
naphtha which is recycled. The recycled heavy cracked naphtha is eventually desulfurized
and hydrogenated to produce a clean solvent which washes the catalyst and extends
catalyst life.