Process for the elimination of metal contaminants from catalysts, using buffered oxalic acid

摘要

A method is described for the elimination of metal contaminants from hydroconversion catalysts which contain at least one metal of the groups VIB, VIIB or VIII, applied to a refractory inorganic oxide, and from cracking catalysts which contain at least one component selected from aluminium oxide, silicon dioxide, silicon dioxide/aluminium oxide, zeolites and clays. The process is characterised in that the contaminated catalyst is brought into contact with a buffered solution of oxalic acid, which removes the contaminant without dissolving the support.