Inventors:
Robert S. Nebergall - Lombard IL
Dennis R. Taylor - Palatine IL
Carolyn J. Kucharz - Chicago IL
Assignee:
American Colloid Company - Arlington Heights IL
International Classification:
B01J 2034
B01J 3860
B01J 3864
C11B 310
Abstract:
A three step process for regenerating spent bleaching clays and acid-activated smectite catalyst granules includes: (1) an extraction step to remove a majority of entrained oil, preferably about 75% to about 95% by weight of the entrained oil, when regenerating bleaching clays; (2) an oxidation step to remove the majority of remaining carbonaceous adsorbates which are not removed by the preceding extraction step, and (3) an acid wash step to restore the acidity normally associated with fresh acid-activated bleaching clays. The features of steps 2 and 3 may be combined into a single step by using an appropriate oxidant, for example, a source of acidic protons, such as peracetic acid.