Using a microwave-induced method to regenerate platinum catalyst

When the catalyst is put under the conditions of microwave energy with oxygen, it absorbs microwave energy and turns the energy into heat to support the combustion process. The oxygen is spread into the catalyst through surface pores which allows coke combustion. The laboratory results show that when air flow rate is at 2 L min−1 and microwave energy is at 450 W with an exposure time of 8 h, the coke removal efficiency was 70% as compared to 15% in the control system (without air). This study provides an innovative technique of using microwave energy to regenerate spent platinum catalysts containing coke.