Patent ID: 6579821
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: B01J

Abstract:
A method for reactivating a solid alkylation catalyst, comprising:providing a solid alkylation catalyst which is at least partially deactivated by alkylation fouling agents; providing a fluid reactivating agent having at least one component that is reactive toward one or more of the fouling agents, the fluid reactivating agent having a critical point, wherein said fluid reactivating agent comprises isobutane at a temperature in the range of about 130Â° C. to about 250Â° C.; and contacting said catalyst with said fluid reactivating agent in the absence of alkylation and under conditions of pressure and temperature such that said fluid reactivating agent is at or above the critical point of the fluid reactivating agent while being dense enough to dissolve impurities, said fluid reactivating agent reacting with at least some of the impurities, wherein the impurities comprise at least one of the fouling agents and any products of reaction of said fluid reactivating agent with the fouling agents.