Alumina isomerization process

In a process for the isomerization of an olefin-containing feedstream using an isomerization catalyst consisting essentially of alumina having a surface area of at least about 100 m.sup.2 /g wherein one isomerization run is followed by catalyst regeneration and then an additional isomerization run, the improvement which comprises carrying out said regeneration by heating said catalyst at a temperature in the range of about 425.degree. C. to about 705.degree. C. in the presence of a free oxygen-containing gas containing about 0.3 to about 10 mole percent water based on the moles of free oxygen-containing gas for a time sufficient to burn off substantially all the coke on said catalyst.

A cyclic process for the isomerization of at least one olefin having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms per molecule comprising:

• (a) contacting an active isomerization catalyst consisting essentially of alumina having a surface area of at least about 100 m.sup.2 /g with a feedstream containing one or more olefins having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms per molecule under conditions suitable for isomerizing said one or more olefins to more highly branched olefins,
• (b) regenerating the catalyst employed in step (a) by heating said catalyst at a temperature in the range of about 425.degree. C. to about 705.degree. C. in the presence of a free oxygen-containing gas containing about 0.3 to about 10 mole percent water based on the moles of free oxygen-containing gas for a time sufficient to burn off substantially all the coke on said catalyst, and thereafter
• (c) contacting the regenerated catalyst from step (b) with a feedstream containing one or more olefins having 4 to 10 carbon atoms per molecule under conditions suitable for isomerizing said one or more olefins to more highly branched olefins.