Regeneration of Coked Catalysts in a Polytropic Reactor

A new procedure for the oxidative regeneration of coked fixed-bed catalytic reactors is proposed in which oxygen is simultaneously introduced at several locations along the reactor. Mathematical simulation indicates that, with this method, the heat generation is more evenly distributed in the bed, and, as a consequence, the temperatures reached during regeneration can be substantially reduced. Laboratory-scale experiments have confirmed model predictions, showing that oxygen distribution in a polytropic-feed reactor (i.e., a reactor with several inlets) is an effective way to reduce catalyst deactivation by sintering.