REFORMING CATALYST MADE FROM THE METALS RECOVERED FROM SPENT ATMOSPHERIC RESID DESULFURIZATION CATALYST

The metals deposited on spent atmospheric resid desulfurization (ARDS) catalyst can be effectively removed by acid extraction. We discovered that a reforming catalyst can be prepared by impregnating a suitable catalyst support with this metal-laden extraction liquor. Since nickel and iron oxides have a detrimental effect on the performance of the reforming catalyst, aqueous solution of oxalic acid was used to selectively extract vanadium (excluding nickel and iron) from spent ARDS catalyst for the catalyst preparation. Catalyst prepared with the recovered vanadium and other minor elements showed significant dehydrocyclization activity to convert paraffins to aromatics. For example, in a nonoptimized fluidized-bed reactor, this catalyst can improve the research octane number of a paraffinic naphtha from 55 to 87 with approximately 81 wt% liquid yield. Hydrogen pretreatment to reduce vanadium on the catalyst can substantially decrease the catalyst activity and selectivity.