Systems and methods for temporary deactivation of hydrocracking catalyst

A method for idling a hydrocracking reactor, comprising:

• introducing a hydrocarbon and hydrogen to a reactor;
• reacting the hydrocarbon and the hydrogen in the presence of a hydrocracking catalyst to obtain a hydrocracked product;
• introducing a quench gas comprising hydrogen to the reactor from one or more quench lines coupled to the reactor;
• mixing a nitrogen-containing compound with the quench gas in the one or more quench lines;
• introducing the nitrogen-containing compound and the quench gas to the reactor in an amount sufficient to reduce hydrocracking by at least 90% therein;
• and
• stopping reaction of the hydrocarbon and the hydrogen-containing gas after introduction of the nitrogen-containing compound to the reactor.

A system for idling a hydrocracking reaction, comprising:

• a hydrocracker adapted to receive a hydrocarbon and hydrogen, the hydrocracker comprising one or more beds of hydrocracking catalyst;
• one or more quench lines coupled to a sidewall of the hydrocracker, each quench line coupled to the sidewall at a location proximate a bed of the hydrocracking catalyst and adapted to receive a quench gas comprising hydrogen;
• and
• a vessel adapted to store a kill agent, wherein the vessel is in fluid communication with the one or more quench lines.