Method for reactivating spent catalyst by contact with one or more aromatic compounds

Abstract

A method for regenerating a spent porous crystalline catalyst, optionally associated with a metal component such as noble and/or base metal(s), is described. The method comprises contacting the spent catalyst which has become deactivated by accumulation of carbonaceous residue with one or more light aromatic compounds under conditions resulting in reactivation of said catalyst. The light aromatic compounds employed are ones which have the capability of penetrating the catalyst, so as to contact the carbonaceous residue contained therein, undergoing alkylation by alkyl fragments contributed by components of the carbonaceous residue and diffusing from or otherwise escaping the catalyst.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.