REJUVENATION OF A DEACTIVATED CATALYST

In one embodiment, a sulfur-contaminated catalyst is rejuvenated by the cyclic process of (1) exposing the catalyst to oxidizing conditions in the presence of oxygen at a temperature of from 200C to 450C; (2) contacting the oxidized catalyst with at least 10 cc of an aqueous media in the liquid phase per cc of catalyst; wherein the aqueous media is selected from the group consisting of water, an aqueous solution, and a saturated water vapor; and (3) exposing said wet catalyst to reducing conditions in the presence of hydrogen at a temperature of from 200C to 700C. In another embodiment, the catalyst is contacted with an aqueous solution of a salt of a metal selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal and an alkaline earth metal. In still another embodiment, the catalyst is washed with either a neutral solution or an acidic solution, contacted with an aqueous solution of a salt of a metal selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal and an alkaline earth metal, washed with a neutral solution, and dried.