The regeneration of Pt promoted SO42−–ZrO2 catalysts

Abstract Different regeneration strategies for a Pt-SO 4 2− –ZrO 2 catalyst were investigated. Two of the regeneration methods tested on the same deactivated catalyst included sulfur addition via a SO 2 step followed by a reactivation in situ step. These methods produced regenerated catalysts, which were active for the conversion of n -hexadecane. However, their high activity was not adequately sustained when compared to a fresh catalyst. Two oxidation/regeneration methods were also investigated. One oxidation method was successful in producing a catalyst that could undergo multiple regenerations with the restoration of the activity to the level of the fresh catalyst and the retention of that activity over a period of time that was comparable to, or exceeded, that of the fresh catalyst.