Methods are provided for activation of catalysts comprising low amounts of a hydrogenation metal, such as low amounts of a Group 8-10 noble metal. The amount of hydrogenation metal on the catalyst can correspond to 0.5 wt % or less (with respect to the weight of the catalyst), or 0.1 wt % or less, or 0.05 wt % or less. Prior to loading a catalyst into a reactor, the corresponding catalyst precursor can be first activated in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere containing 1.0 vppm of CO or less. The thus first-activated catalyst can be transferred to a reactor with optional exposure to oxygen during the transfer, where it can be further activated using a hydrogen-containing atmosphere containing 3.0 vppm of CO or higher, to yield a twice-activated catalyst with high performance. The catalyst can be advantageously a transalkylation catalyst or an isomerization catalyst useful for converting aromatic hydrocarbons.

Methods are provided for activation of catalysts comprising low amounts of a hydrogenation metal, such as low amounts of a Group 8-10 noble metal. The amount of hydrogenation metal on the catalyst can correspond to 0.5 wt % or less (with respect to the weight of the catalyst), or 0.1 wt % or less, or 0.05 wt % or less. Prior to loading a catalyst into a reactor, the corresponding catalyst precursor can be first activated in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere containing 1.0 vppm of CO or less. The thus first-activated catalyst can be transferred to a reactor with optional exposure to oxygen during the transfer, where it can be further activated using a hydrogen-containing atmosphere containing 3.0 vppm of CO or higher, to yield a twice-activated catalyst with high performance. The catalyst can be advantageously a transalkylation catalyst or an isomerization catalyst useful for converting aromatic hydrocarbons.

Methods of treating hydroconversion catalysts used for cracking of hydrocarbons are described. A method can include mixing an inactive hydroconversion catalyst with a solid hydrocarbon containing material having a melting point of 50 C. or greater. The inactive hydroconversion catalyst/solid hydrocarbon containing material mixture can be contacted with a gaseous stream that includes hydrogen (H.sub.2) and a sulfur-containing compound under conditions sufficient to sulfide the catalyst and carbonize at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing material on the sulfided catalyst to obtain a treated sulfided hydroconversion catalyst.

Methods of treating hydroconversion catalysts used for cracking of hydrocarbons are described. A method can include mixing an inactive hydroconversion catalyst with a solid hydrocarbon containing material having a melting point of 50 C. or greater. The inactive hydroconversion catalyst/solid hydrocarbon containing material mixture can be contacted with a gaseous stream that includes hydrogen (H.sub.2) and a sulfur-containing compound under conditions sufficient to sulfide the catalyst and carbonize at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing material on the sulfided catalyst to obtain a treated sulfided hydroconversion catalyst.

A catalyst for the carbonylation of dimethyl ether to methyl acetate. The catalyst comprises a zeolite, such as a mordenite zeolite, at least one Group IB metal, such as copper, and/or at least one Group VIII metal, such as iron, and at least one Group IIB metal, such as zinc. Such a catalyst with combined metals provides enhanced catalytic activity, improved stability, and improved selectivity to methyl acetate, and does not require a halogen promoter, as compared to a metal-free or copper only zeolite.

A catalyst for the carbonylation of dimethyl ether to methyl acetate. The catalyst comprises a zeolite, such as a mordenite zeolite, at least one Group IB metal, such as copper, and/or at least one Group VIII metal, such as iron, and at least one Group IIB metal, such as zinc. Such a catalyst with combined metals provides enhanced catalytic activity, improved stability, and improved selectivity to methyl acetate, and does not require a halogen promoter, as compared to a metal-free or copper only zeolite.

A process to react an oxygen containing regenerated catalyst stream prior to use in a fluidized bed reactor comprising providing a regenerated catalyst stream which comprises at least 0.001 wt % oxygen; reacting the regenerated catalyst stream with a fuel source thereby forming oxides and reducing the amount of oxygen in the regenerated catalyst stream to produce a usable regenerated catalyst stream; and injecting the usable regenerated catalyst stream into a hydrocarbon fluidized bed reactor is provided.

A process to react an oxygen containing regenerated catalyst stream prior to use in a fluidized bed reactor comprising providing a regenerated catalyst stream which comprises at least 0.001 wt % oxygen; reacting the regenerated catalyst stream with a fuel source thereby forming oxides and reducing the amount of oxygen in the regenerated catalyst stream to produce a usable regenerated catalyst stream; and injecting the usable regenerated catalyst stream into a hydrocarbon fluidized bed reactor is provided.

Methods for producing propylene by the dehydrogenation of propane are provided. Methods can include introducing a first gas mixture including propane to a dehydrogenation catalyst at a temperature of at least about 570 C., introducing a second gas mixture including steam and air to the dehydrogenation catalyst at a temperature of at least about 550 C., and allowing the second gas mixture to subsist therewith for at least about one hour. Methods can further include introducing a third gas mixture including hydrogen to the dehydrogenation catalyst at a temperature of at least about 500 C.

Methods for producing propylene by the dehydrogenation of propane are provided. Methods can include introducing a first gas mixture including propane to a dehydrogenation catalyst at a temperature of at least about 570 C., introducing a second gas mixture including steam and air to the dehydrogenation catalyst at a temperature of at least about 550 C., and allowing the second gas mixture to subsist therewith for at least about one hour. Methods can further include introducing a third gas mixture including hydrogen to the dehydrogenation catalyst at a temperature of at least about 500 C.