| abstract |
A process for regenerating spent bleaching clays and acid-activated smectite catalyst granules includes: (1) an extraction step to remove a majority of entrained hydrocarbons, such as 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 to carbonize a majority of the remaining adsorbates, thereby increasing the adsorption capacity of the clay; and, optionally, (3) an acid wash step to restore the acidity normally associated with fresh acid-activated bleaching clays. In a second embodiment, the clay is oxidized with O₂ at a temperature below about 360°C to carbonize a portion of the hydrocarbons remaining after extraction. |