Patent attributes
The microwave spent catalyst decoking method is a method for regenerating petrochemical catalysts by removing coke deposited in the catalyst using a 2.45 GHz microwave oven. The spent catalyst is heated in air or pure oxygen in the presence of a susceptor. The susceptor is made of silicon carbide-based composite material that absorbs 2.45 GHz microwave energy fast and efficiently. In one embodiment, the susceptor material is formed into pellets that are preferably four to five millimeters in diameter. The susceptor pellets are mixed with the spent catalyst and loaded into a thermally shielded refractory tube that rotates about its central axis. In a another embodiment, the apparatus is a thermally shielded tower or vertical tube made of refractory material that is transparent to microwave radiation and supports rows of susceptor rods that are aligned horizontally.
