Verfahren zur oxydativen Regenerierung von Hydrofinierungs-Katalysatoren

Hydrofining catalysts which have been deactivated by the accumulation of carbonaceous deposits are regenerated by stripping with steam at above 250 DEG F., increasing the steam temperature to 350 DEG -450 DEG F., adding air to the steam to burn said deposits while controlling the steam temperature and amount of air so as to limit the peak catalyst regeneration temperature to 700 DEG -750 DEG F. and stripping the regenerated catalyst. Prior to the steam stripping the deactivated catalyst may be purged with a hydrogen-rich gas to remove hydrocarbons. The catalysts to be regenerated are defined as molybdenum oxide, nickel-tungsten sulphide and cobalt molybdate or cobalt oxide/molybdenum oxide mixtures, dispersed on an alumina containing support or base, preferably activated or adsorptive alumina.