Electrochemical process recovers spent catalyst

Abstract

A catalyst regeneration process designed to provide environmental and cost advantages over conventional spent catalyst reclamation processes has been developed by researchers at Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, Wash. The process, based on electrochemical dissolution, recovers metal from the spent catalysts. Hydrocarbon deposits on the catalysts are also removed and are converted to carbon dioxide and water at moderate temperatures and atmospheric pressure. Development of the process was spurred by stricter environmental regulations and the tighter economics of catalyst regeneration. The trend in oil refining toward ever heavier feedstocks puts a correspondingly greater demand on catalyst performance. Heavier feedstocks typically have higher concentrations of impurities, which promote catalyst deactivation and decrease on-stream cycle time. Simultaneously, the economic encourage lower energy consumption and an increase in reaction selectivities to minimize production of waste.