The dynamic adsorption and desorption behaviors of lithium-modified mesoporous silica adsorbents (YSP-Li and MCF-Li) were investigated to remove sulfur compounds from natural gas. A mixture of methane and methyl mercaptan (291 mu mol/mol) was used as feed gas. The adsorption capacities were determined from breakthrough experiments conducted at different temperatures and flow rates. The dynamic thermal desorption of both adsorbents was studied by applying stepwise temperature increases using nitrogen or methane. Both adsorbents could easily be regenerated at 100 degrees C with a purge gas. MCF-Li exhibited stronger adsorption affinity and higher adsorption capacity to methyl mercaptan than YSP-Li even though its surface area and the doping amount of Li were smaller. The desorption from MCF-Li was more affected by the applied purge gas (CH4 or N-2) than YSP-Li.