Method of treating spontaneously combustible catalysts

摘要

Self-heating characteristics of a spontaneously combustible catalyst are reduced by treating spontaneously combustible catalysts with oxygen-containing hydrocarbons having at least 12 carbon atoms. The treatment is particularly suitable for reducing the self-heating characteristics of sulfidable metal oxide(s)-containing catalysts, presulfurized catalysts, presulfided catalysts or reduced catalysts. When applied to sulfur-containing catalysts, the treatment gives a catalyst that has suppressed self-heating properties without substantially compromising sulfur retention or activity. Further, a method of safely unloading a catalyst from a reactor is provided where the catalyst in the reactor is treated with a liquid mixture containing oxygen-containing hydrocarbon having at least 12 carbon atoms to wet the catalyst.