Regeneration of zeolite carbonylation catalysts

摘要

A method for the regeneration of a zeolite catalyst effective for the carbonylation of methanol or dimethyl ether or dimethyl carbonate with carbon monoxide to produce at least one of acetic acid and methyl acetate wherein said method comprises contacting the zeolite catalyst with a regeneration gas selected from hydrogen or a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide and wherein the catalyst is maintained at a temperature in the range 250 to 600 °C.