Process for production of an ether-rich additive

A process for the production of an ether-rich additive for gasoline, and more particularly, the production of MTBE, TAME and mixtures thereof from light hydrocarbon streams comprising passing the light hydrocarbon stream, preferably from an FCC feedstock, through a superactivated porous particulate medium so as to remove nitrogen compounds, mercaptan and water prior to contacting the feedstock with a catalyst under etherification process conditions. The present invention further includes a process for regenerating the spent superactivated mediums used for purifying the feedstock employed in the process for the production of ether-rich additives for gasoline.