Startup method for a hydrocarbon reforming process utilizing a bed containing an iridium component and a platinum group component reforming catalyst having a substantially uniform sulfur distribution throughout the bed.

摘要

A bed of hydrocarbon reforming catalyst comprising an iridium component and at least one other metal component from the platinum group or Group 1B of the Periodic Table on a refractory support is treated to have a uniform sulfur distribution within the range of from 0.3 to 2.0 atoms of sulfur per atom of metal components at the start-up of a hydrocarbon reforming process. The uniform sulfur distribution within the specified range is achieved by contacting a bed of reduced fresh or regenerated catalyst with a sulfiding agent (e.g H2S) until the sulfur content is 0.3 to 2.0 or more atoms of sulfur per atom of metal components and subsequently contacting the sulfided catalyst with a hydrogen-containing gas at a temperature of 482 to 510 DEG C until H2S evolution substantially ceases. The hydrocarbon feed is thereafter passed in contact with the catalyst.