PROCESS FOR REACTIVATING IRIDIUM-CONTAINING CATALYSTS

摘要

Described is a process for reactivating an agglomerated catalyst containing metallic iridium characterized by the steps of: (a) pretreating the catalyst by contact with a substantially elemental oxygen-free atmosphere comprising a halide-providing compound at an elevated temperature to provide a catalyst comprising about 1.3 weight percent, halide based on the coke-free dry, catalyst; and (b) redispersing the metallic iridium from step (a) by contact at an elevated temperature with an atmosphere comprising a redispersing gas selected from the group of elemental halogen, elemental oxygen, a mixture of hydrogen halide and elemental oxygen, or mixtures thereof. Further embodiments are described including a preferred embodiment wherein the redispersing gas is a mixture of hydrogen halide and elemental oxygen.