Method for activating catalyst for chlorine production

Abstract

A catalyst having decreased activity is subjected to a contact treatment with a reducing gas containing carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen. Also, the catalyst can be effectively activated by being treated by contacting with an oxidizing gas after having been treated by contacting with the reducing gas. As the catalyst for production of chlorine, a ruthenium catalyst, particularly a catalyst containing ruthenium oxide is suitably activated.

1 . A method for activating a catalyst for use in the production process of chlorine, which process comprises oxidizing hydrogen chloride with oxygen, characterized in that a catalyst having decreased activity is treated by contacting with a reducing gas containing carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst having decreased activity is treated by contacting with the reducing gas, and thereafter contacted with an oxidizing gas. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst having decreased activity is treated by contacting with water, thereafter contacted with the reducing gas, and then treated by contacting with an oxidizing gas. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst having decreased activity is treated by contacting with the reducing gas, thereafter treated by contacting with water, and then treated by contacting with an oxidizing gas. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst having decreased activity is treated by contacting with the reducing gas, thereafter treated by contacting with an oxidizing gas and then treated by contacting with water. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature of contacting with the reducing gas is from 150 to 450° C. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the temperature of contacting with the reducing gas is from 250 to 450° C. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is a catalyst containing ruthenium oxide. 
     
     
         9 . A method for producing chlorine, characterized in that the catalyst is activated by the method according to  claim 1 , and hydrogen chloride is oxidized with oxygen in the presence of the activated catalyst.