The document provides detailed procedures and information regarding refinery process catalysts, including start-up and shutdown activation, reduction techniques, and troubleshooting for primary reforming catalysts used in refining and petrochemical industries. It outlines specific steps for catalyst reduction, including temperature control and methane monitoring, and emphasizes the importance of evaluating catalyst performance and remaining life. Additionally, it mentions the company's specialization in developing new technologies within these sectors and provides a disclaimer regarding the accuracy of the information presented.

1. Refinery Process Stream Purification Refinery Process Catalysts Troubleshooting Refinery Process Catalyst Start-Up / Shutdown
Activation Reduction In-situ Ex-situ Sulfiding Specializing in Refinery Process Catalyst Performance Evaluation Heat & Mass
Balance Analysis Catalyst Remaining Life Determination Catalyst Deactivation Assessment Catalyst Performance
Characterization Refining & Gas Processing & Petrochemical Industries Catalysts / Process Technology - Hydrogen Catalysts /
Process Technology – Ammonia Catalyst Process Technology - Methanol Catalysts / process Technology – Petrochemicals
Specializing in the Development & Commercialization of New Technology in the Refining & Petrochemical Industries
Web Site: www.GBHEnterprises.com
GBH Enterprises, Ltd.
Startup Procedure for Primary Reforming
Catalysts
Process Information Disclaimer
Information contained in this publication or as otherwise supplied to Users is
believed to be accurate and correct at time of going to press, and is given in
good faith, but it is for the User to satisfy itself of the suitability of the Product for
its own particular purpose. GBHE gives no warranty as to the fitness of the
Product for any particular purpose and any implied warranty or condition
(statutory or otherwise) is excluded except to the extent that exclusion is
prevented by law. GBHE accepts no liability for loss, damage or personnel injury
caused or resulting from reliance on this information. Freedom under Patent,
Copyright and Designs cannot be assumed.

2. Refinery Process Stream Purification Refinery Process Catalysts Troubleshooting Refinery Process Catalyst Start-Up / Shutdown
Activation Reduction In-situ Ex-situ Sulfiding Specializing in Refinery Process Catalyst Performance Evaluation Heat & Mass
Balance Analysis Catalyst Remaining Life Determination Catalyst Deactivation Assessment Catalyst Performance
Characterization Refining & Gas Processing & Petrochemical Industries Catalysts / Process Technology - Hydrogen Catalysts /
Process Technology – Ammonia Catalyst Process Technology - Methanol Catalysts / process Technology – Petrochemicals
Specializing in the Development & Commercialization of New Technology in the Refining & Petrochemical Industries
Web Site: www.GBHEnterprises.com
VULCAN Series VSG-Z101 Primary Reforming
Initial Catalyst Reduction
Activating (reducing) the catalyst involves changing the nickel oxide to nickel,
represented by:
NiO + H2 <==========> Ni + H2O
Natural gas is typically used as the hydrogen source. When it is, the catalyst
reduction and putting the reformer on-line are accompanied in the same step.
A suggested reduction procedure is provided below:
A. Heat catalyst above condensation temperature with air or nitrogen.
B. Add Steam
1) Steam rate 40-50% of design to allow even firing.
2) Increase temperature to 700o
C at up to 50o
C/hr.
C. Introduce gas flow gradually
1) Over a 3-5 hour period reduce the S/C ratio to about 7:1.
2) Increase tube exit temperature to design.
3) Increase firing as reduction/reforming begins to maintain the
exit temperature.
D. Maintain tube inlet temperature as high as possible during
reduction.
E. Check exit methane content hourly.
1) The exit methane should decrease to a low level over a
period of 4-8 hours.
2) Reducing conditions should be maintained for the same
length of time as it took for the methane to fall to this
constant level.

3. Refinery Process Stream Purification Refinery Process Catalysts Troubleshooting Refinery Process Catalyst Start-Up / Shutdown
Activation Reduction In-situ Ex-situ Sulfiding Specializing in Refinery Process Catalyst Performance Evaluation Heat & Mass
Balance Analysis Catalyst Remaining Life Determination Catalyst Deactivation Assessment Catalyst Performance
Characterization Refining & Gas Processing & Petrochemical Industries Catalysts / Process Technology - Hydrogen Catalysts /
Process Technology – Ammonia Catalyst Process Technology - Methanol Catalysts / process Technology – Petrochemicals
Specializing in the Development & Commercialization of New Technology in the Refining & Petrochemical Industries
Web Site: www.GBHEnterprises.com
F. Increase the natural gas to the design S/C ratio
1) Do this in stages over a 2-3 hour period.
2) Maintain a steady exit temperature steady.
3) Check the methane and tube appearance after each
adjustment to ensure they are satisfactory.
G. Increase the throughput as desired. This should always be done by
increasing steam rate before the gas.
Normal Start-ups (Re-Starts)
Since the catalyst is steamed during the shut down, the nickel becomes
partially oxidized. A shortened reduction step is required when the reformer
is put back on-line. The reduction is the same as for new catalyst, except a
reduction period of two hours is normally sufficient. Normal running exit
temperature should be used.

4. Refinery Process Stream Purification Refinery Process Catalysts Troubleshooting Refinery Process Catalyst Start-Up / Shutdown
Activation Reduction In-situ Ex-situ Sulfiding Specializing in Refinery Process Catalyst Performance Evaluation Heat & Mass
Balance Analysis Catalyst Remaining Life Determination Catalyst Deactivation Assessment Catalyst Performance
Characterization Refining & Gas Processing & Petrochemical Industries Catalysts / Process Technology - Hydrogen Catalysts /
Process Technology – Ammonia Catalyst Process Technology - Methanol Catalysts / process Technology – Petrochemicals
Specializing in the Development & Commercialization of New Technology in the Refining & Petrochemical Industries
Web Site: www.GBHEnterprises.com