Regeneration procedure for iridium-containing catalyst

In a process for the catalytic reforming of hydrocarbons wherein a hydrocarbon feed stock is contacted with a catalyst comprising from 0.01 to about 3.0 wt. % of an iridium component and chlorine component contained on an inorganic refractory oxide support at reforming conditions, the catalyst having been at least partially deactivated during contact with said feed stock by the deposition of carbonaceous residues, a method for regenerating said catalyst after discontinuing contact of said catalyst with said feed stock comprising:

• 1. contacting said catalyst in a reaction zone with a gaseous mixture containing oxygen at an elevated temperature of less than about 600.degree. C. for a time sufficient to burn at least a substantial portion of said carbonaceous residues from said catalyst;
• 2. contacting said catalyst with an inert purge gas for a time sufficient to remove substantially all of the carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and oxygen present in said reaction zone;
• p1 3. contacting said carbonaceous residue-depleted catalyst in said reaction zone with a hydrogen-containing gas at elevated temperature for a time sufficient to convert a substantial portion of said iridium on said catalyst to its metallic form;
• 4. contacting said treated catalyst having a substantial portion of the iridium contained thereon in the metallic form in said reaction zone with an elemental chlorine-containing gas at a temperature of at least about 300.degree.C. for a time sufficient to redisperse at least a portion of the iridium on the catalyst;
• 5. contacting said chlorine treated catalyst in said reaction zone with a hydrogen-containing gas at an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to convert a substantial portion of said iridium on said catalyst to its metallic form;
• and
• 6. contacting said treated catalyst having a substantial portion of the iridium contained thereon in the metallic form in said reaction zone with a chlorine-containing gas at a temperature of at least about 300.degree.C. for a time sufficient to redisperse at least a portion of the iridium on the catalyst.

In a process for the catalytic reforming of hydrocarbons wherein a naphtha feed stock and hydrogen are contacted with a catalyst comprising at least about 0.1 wt. % of an iridium component and from about 0.01 to about 3.0 wt. % of a chlorine component contained on an inorganic refractory oxide support at reforming conditions, the catalyst having been at least partially deactivated during contact with said naphtha feed stock by the deposition of carbonaceous residues, a method for regenerating said catalyst after discontinuing contact of said catalyst with said naphtha feed stock comprising:

• 1. contacting said catalyst in a reaction zone with a gaseous mixture containing oxygen at a temperature varying from 340.degree. and 490.degree.C. for a time sufficient to burn at least a substantial portion of said carbonaceous residues from said catalyst;
• 2. contacting said catalyst with an inert purge gas at a temperature of less than about 400.degree.C. for a time sufficient to remove substantially all of the carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and oxygen present in said reaction zone;
• 3. contacting said carbonaceous residue-depleted catalyst in said reaction zone with a hydrogen-containing gas at a temperature varying from about 350.degree. to 550.degree.C. for a time sufficient to convert a substantial portion of said iridium on said catalyst to its metallic form;
• 4. contacting said treated catalyst having a substantial portion of the iridium contained thereon in the metallic form in said reaction zone with an elemental chlorine-containing gas at a temperature varying from about 470.degree. and 550.degree.C. for a time sufficient to redisperse at least a portion of the iridium on the catalyst;
• 5. contacting said chlorine treated catalyst in said reaction zone with a hydrogen-containing gas at a temperature varying from about 350.degree. to 550.degree.C. for a time sufficient to convert a substantial portion of said iridium on said catalyst to its metallic form;
• and
• 6. contacting said treated catalyst having a substantial portion of the iridium contained thereon in the metallic form in said reaction zone with a chlorine-containing gas at a temperature varying from about 470.degree. and 550.degree.C. for a time sufficient to redisperse at least a portion of the iridium on said catalyst.