Patent ID: 7449420

Claim:
A method for reactivating at least partially deactivated zeolite catalyst in one or more reaction zones in a reaction section where reactions are carried out in liquid phase or partially liquid phase for the production of alkyl aromatic compounds wherein said alkyl aromatic compounds are produced by reacting at least one feed olefin with at least one feed aromatic, said catalyst reactivation process comprising the steps of: (a) stopping or substantially reducing at least one selected feed to the reaction zone(s); and introducing a catalyst reactivating agent into said reaction zone(s) at a weight hourly space velocity between about 0.02 hr −1 and 200 hr −1 ; and raising the reaction zone(s) temperature(s) to temperature(s) above the normal reaction zone(s) operating temperature(s) by about 10° C. to 200° C.; (b) allowing said at least partially deactivated catalyst to be at least partially reactivated in said reaction zone(s) at said elevated temperature(s) over a period of time between 1 hour and 30 days; (c) terminating flow of said catalyst reactivating agent; and re-establishing normal reaction zone(s) operating conditions and said selected reactor charge(s); and (d) resuming production of said alkyl aromatic compounds in said reaction zone(s).