Process for regenerating a monolithic catalytic hydrogenation reactor

The invention is a process to regenerate monolith catalytic reactors employed in the liquid phase hydrogenation reactions, particularly those kinds of reactions involving nitroaromatic compounds. The catalytic metals in the monolith catalytic reactor are deactivated by carbonaceous and deactivating byproducts and must be regenerated to extend the catalyst service life and reduce costs. The regeneration process involves two steps: initially passing an oxidizing gaseous mixture through the monolith catalytic reactor at an elevated temperature and for a time sufficient to remove carbonaceous and deactivating byproducts; and then passing a reducing gas though the monolith catalytic reactor previously exposed to the oxidizing gas under conditions for reducing the catalytic metal to its reduced state.