Hydrocarbon reforming process with sulfur sensitive catalyst

Abstract From the Canadian patent

An improved process minimizing the detrimental effects caused by inadvertently contacting a high sulfur high water-containing hydrocarbon feedstock with a platinum group metal, halogen-containing catalyst is disclosed. The present process involves discontinuing the high sulfur high water-containing feedstock-catalyst contacting while passing hydrogen over the catalyst. The catalyst halogen concentration is maintained or increased by the addition of halogen component, for example, during the hydrogen pass through. Once the sulfur contamination has been removed from the catalyst, normal hydrocarbon reforming is resumed.