METHOD FOR THE REACTIVATION OF SPENT ALUMINA-SUPPORTED HYDROTREATING CATALYSTS

摘要

METHOD FOR THE REACTIVATION OF SPENT ALUMINA-SUPPORTED HYDROTREATING CATALYSTS (D# 79,465-F) Spent or inactive alumina-supported catalysts removed from a catalytic hydrotreating process and having carbonaceous and metallic deposits thereon are reactivated After a solvent wash to remove process oils, the spent catalyst is contacted with steam at a temperature of 1000 to about 1250.degree. F. far a period of about 2 to about 5 hours to form a reactivated catalyst suitable for reuse in a catalytic hydrotreating process. Optionally, the steamtreated catalyst can be regenerated by contact with an oxygen-containing gas at a temperature of about 700.degree. to about 900.degree. F. to remove carbon deposits from the catalyst, or, alternatively, the steam-treated catalyst can be acidleached to remove undesired metals and then contacted with an oxygen-containing gas at an elevated temperature to remove carbon deposits.