Abstract

In this research, the high carbon-containing (coke, >20 wt%) Pt catalyst wasted from a full-scale petrochemical plant are regenerated in quartz and borax glass reactors by applying 250 W microwave irradiation for 18 hours. When irradiated with microwave substances of various dielectric characteristics will consume the microwave energy; the quantity of energy consumed is proportional to dielectric constant. Because borax glass has higher dielectric constant than quartz glass (e.g. 4.6 vs. 3.6 F/M), it causes higher energy loss than quartz glass. Laboratory results reveal that the removal of coke is smaller for the sample placed in the borax glass reactor than in the quartz glass container (17.7 vs. 25.9 %). On the other hand, higher MW output power leads to stronger electrical field to influence the mutual reactions between microwave and dielectric materials (e.g. the absorption of microwave energy), and the overall energy efficiency. The laboratory results also show that when the microwave energy is increased from 250 to 450 W, the carbon removal rate is raised from 25.9 to 38.1% with the sample placed in quartz glass reactor. Using the microwave energy to regenerate high carbon-containing (coke) Pt-catalyst as studied in this research is an innovated technology.

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