The present disclosure provides a process for removing metal contaminants from a contaminated fluid stream comprising the step of contacting said fluid stream with macroporous alpha alumina to obtain a fluid stream containing less than 50 ppm of metal. The fluid stream can be selected from the group consisting of a stream of mineral acid(s) and a stream of alkylene(s); and the metal contaminant can be at least one of elemental metals and metal oxides. The process further comprises a step of obtaining spent macroporous alpha alumina and regenerating active macroporous alpha alumina therefrom by washing said spent macroporous alpha alumina with at least one purified stream selected from the group consisting of a stream of mineral acid(s) and a stream of alkylene(s).