Catalyst Procedure
The catalyst used in this plant was secured from the central catalyst manufacturing plant of Ruhrchemie A.G. at Sterkrade-Holten. According to plant personnel interrogated, it contained cobalt, thoria, magnesia, and kieselguhr in the normal proportions. Since the manufacture of this catalyst has been described in considerable detail in other reports, no further data are given here.
The Hoesch Benzine procedure in adding fresh catalyst to the plant differs from normal practice as recommended by Ruhrchemie. Fresh catalyst is put into operation in any stage at this plant intead of the recommended practice of starting its operation in the third stage only.
Hoesch Benzin also claimed that regeneration of the catalyst with hydrogen does no good, despite the fact that this is a regular procedure at other plants. Periodically the catalyst is extracted with some middle oil from the process and then dried with heat, but, other than this, no attempt is made at regeneration in the plant. After service of 1500-2000 hours, the catalyst is removed and shipped back to Ruhrchemie as spent catalyst.