Patent GB-744459-A (GB)
Title: Regeneration of catalysts used in the catalytic treatment of hydrocarbons
IPC: B01J23/96
Filed: 1953-10-05
Abstract: In the reforming of sulphur-containing hydrocarbons in the presence of a platinum catalyst supported on a carrier which is capable of combining with sulphur trioxide to form sulphates, the catalyst is regenerated by periodically burning off carbonaceous deposits, the regeneration gas being introduced so that it does not contact material of the apparatus containing sulphur, and so that contact of the used regeneration gas with catalyst which has been regenerated is avoided (see Group III).  The reforming of gasoline fractions, e.g. naphtha, is carried out in the presence of a hydrogen-containing gas at a pressure of 2-30 atmospheres gauge.  Reforming periods of over 100 hours are possible before regeneration is necessary.ALSO:Catalyst containing platinum supported on a carrier which is capable of combining with sulphur trioxide to form sulphates, which has been used in the treatment of sulphur-containing hydrocarbons, is regenerated by periodically burning off carbonacious deposits, the regeneration gas being introduced so that it does not contact material of the apparatus containing sulphur, and so that contact of the used regeneration gas with catalyst which has been regenerated is avoided.  The regeneration gas may contain 1 per cent oxygen initially, the oxygen content being increased up to that of air; ozone or nitrogen dioxide may be present in the regeneration gas. The oxygen-containing gas may be pre-heated, regeneration temperatures of 300 DEG -600 DEG C. being mentioned.  The gas may be introduced through a line leading close to or into the catalyst; if the inlet line is branched, no branch should discharge downstream of another branch with respect to the flow of gas.  The gas may flow through the catalyst in a direction opposite to that of the hydrocarbon treated and may be withdrawn close to the catalyst to avoid corrosion of the apparatus.  During the reaction period, hydrogen may be passed through the regeneration gas inlet line to prevent formation of sulphur-containing deposits therein.  Contact of the regeneration gas with sulphur-containing substances may also be avoided by using apparatus made of, or coated with, a material which does not give rise to sulphur-containing deposits; suitable materials ar aluminium, "Alundum" (Registered Trade Mark), quartz, or special steels.  Alternatively, sulphur-containing substances may be removed from the apparatus before regeneration, by treatment with an oxidizing or reducing gas, taking care that no sulphur dioxide- or oxygen-containing gas blows over the catalyst.  After removal of carbonaceous deposits, the catalyst can be treated with hydrogen as described in Specification 744,429, or with carbon monoxide or gaseous hydrocarbons such as butane.  The hydrocarbon treatment may be a process in which sulphur-containing gasoline fractions are re-formed in the presence of a hydrogen-containing gas at a pressure of 2-30 atmospheres gauge.  Suitable catalyst carriers are alumina and magnesia; the alumina may have an interior surface of over 120 square meters per gram and may be activated with fluorine or chlorine.  Treatment periods of over 100 hours are possible before regeneration is necessary.