Reclamation and landfill processes are alternatives to regeneration

Because of its value, the handling of precious metals catalyst must be done with care. Any spill that is found must be swept up and retained. Photo courtesy of Federal Container Corp. (Fig. 3). Catalysts that have been deactivated by sulfur, coke, or carbon formation can be regenerated and reused. Spent catalysts that have aged or have been poisoned, on the other hand, often cannot be regenerated and require metals reclamation or disposal.

Oct. 19, 1998

Clifford, Roger K., "Spent Catalyst Management," Petroleum Technology Quarterly, Spring 1997, pp. 33-39.
Rosso, J.P., and El Guindy, Mahmoud I., "Recovery of Pt and Re from Spent Reforming Catalysts," Catalytic Naphtha Reforming, Ed. George J. Antos, et al., Marcell Dekker Inc., New York, Chapt. 12, 1995, p. 395.
"Background Document for Capacity Analysis for Land Disposal Restrictions: Newly Identified Petroleum Refining Wastes (Final Rule)," U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste, Washington D.C., June 1998, p. 3-15.