Abstract: The desulfurization of petroleum distillates can be carried out by cyclic low-temperature adsorption of oxidized sulfur compounds with activated carbon followed by regeneration of the activated carbon using an organic solvent. The activated carbon used in the process is commercially available and its surface area that ranges from approximately 500 to 2000 m2/g having a substantial portion of its pores in the range between 10 to 100 Angstroms.

Abstract: During the regeneration of a sulfurized sorbent comprising zinc aluminate, a promoter metal and zinc sulfide by contact with an oxygen-containing stream to convert at least a portion of said zinc sulfide to zinc oxide the average sulfur dioxide partial pressure in the regeneration zone is controlled within the range of from about 0.1 to about 10 psig to minimize sulfation of the sorbent.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a method for reducing the amount of sulfur in hydrocarbon streams comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a hydrocarbon stream comprising hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds with an adsorbent selective for adsorption of said sulfur compounds, under adsorption conditions capable of retaining said sulfur compounds on said adsorbent and obtaining an adsorption effluent comprising a desulfurized hydrocarbon stream, (b) collecting said desulfurized hydrocarbon stream, (c) desorbing said sulfur compounds from said adsorbent by passing a desorbent through said adsorbent under desorption conditions to obtain a desorption effluent comprising sulfur compounds and said desorbent, (d) treating said desorption effluent to remove said sulfur compounds from said desorption effluent and collecting a desulfurized desorbent effluent comprising desorbent.

Abstract: A base oil feed having a tendency to form a haze at ambient or sub-ambient temperatures is contacted with a solid adsorbent to remove at least a portion of the haze precursors, thereby reducing the haze-forming tendency of the base oil feed.

Abstract: A dewaxed oil having a tendency to form a haze at ambient or sub-ambient temperatures is contacted with a solid adsorbent to remove at least a portion of the haze precursors, thereby reducing the haze-forming tendency of the dewaxed oil.

Abstract: A system and process for removing water and heteroatom-containing compounds from hydrocarbons and for regenerating the adsorbent used in the system and process is disclosed and includes contacting the hydrocarbon stream with a water adsorbent and a heteroatom-containing compound adsorbent. The regeneration includes passing an isoparaffin over the water-adsorbent followed by passing the isoparaffin over the heteroatom-containing compound adsorbent; and, optionally; cooling the resulting effluent; separating such into a hydrocarbon phase and a water phase in a settler; removing a portion of the hydrocarbon phase for contact with and mixing with water; returning the hydrocarbon/water mixture to the settler; removing a portion of the hydrocarbon phase from the settler to form a recycle isoparaffin stream for use as at least a portion of the stripping stream; and removal of at least a portion of the water phase from the settler to form a waste water stream containing water and heteroatom-containing compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and a process capable of reducing the sulphur content of the gasoline product resulting from the cracking of a high molecular weight hydrocarbon feed comprising sulphur which comprises at least three concurrent steps: (a) passing input fluid comprising pollutant through at least one adsorber to produce a polluted adsorber and a purified fluid stream (of reduced pollutant content), which leaves the adsorber, stopping the flow into said adsorber to leave residual fluid therein, and separating said residual fluid from said adsorber to leave the polluted adsorber of reduced residual fluid content, (0) heating a polluted adsorber with a heated regeneration gas to produce a hot adsorher (of reduced polutant content) and cooler regeneration gas (of increased pollutant content), (c) contacting a heated adsorher (of reduced pollutant content) with a regeneration gas (of a lower temperature than that of said adsorber) to produce a cooler adsorber and a warmer regeneration gas, w

Abstract: The present invention is a process to remove a major portion of metals and coke precursors from a hydrocarbon stream. The steps of the process include contacting the feedstream with a hydrocarbon insoluble adsorbent, recovering the oil which does not adsorb and removing the metals and coke precursors from the adsorbent.

Abstract: Sulfur oxides are removed in the regenerator zone and rapidly released as H.sub.2 S in the reactor zone of an FCC system employing a particulate SO.sub.x catalytic/absorbent comprising Cu and an alkali metal oxide. Embodiments include the use of an inorganic support, such as alumina or an EC.

Abstract: Process for selectively removing oxygenated contaminants from streams prevalently containing hydrocarbons with from 3 to 8 carbon atoms characterized in that it comprises an adsorption step wherein said contaminants are adsorbed by an adsorbent essentially consisting of silica gel at a temperature of between 0 and 150.degree. C. and a pressure of between 1 and 20 atms and a regeneration step for removing the adsorbed substances by thermal treatment in a stream of insert gas carried out at a temperature of between 100 and 200.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for selectively removing nitrogenated and/or sulfurated contaminants from streams prevalently containing hydrocarbons with from 3 to 8 crbon atoms characterized in that it comprises an adsorption step wherein said contaminants are adsorbed by an adsorbent essentially consisting of silica gel at a temperature of between 0 and 150.degree. C. and at a pressure of between 1 and 20 atm and a regeneration step to remove the adsorbed substances by thermal treatment in a stream of insert gas carried out at a temperature of between 100 and 200.degree. C.

Abstract: An adsorption/desorption process for selectively removing nitriles from a hydrocarbon feedstock includes the steps of: (a) providing a hydrocarbon feedstock having a nitrile content of less than or equal to about 400 ppm; (b) providing an adsorbent for selective removal of nitrile from a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising a substantially homogeneous mixture of a cationic nonacidic zeolite and an inorganic oxide matrix, the zeolite having an accessibility index of between about 0.1 to about 0.4; (c) contacting the feedstock and the adsorbent at nitrile adsorption conditions whereby at least about 80% of the nitrile content is adsorbed by the adsorbent during contact with at least about 200 volumes of the feedstock per volume of the adsorbent so as to provide a used adsorbent having nitrile molecules adsorbed thereon; and (d) contacting the used adsorbent with a desorbent at desorption conditions so as to remove the nitrile molecules and provide a renewed adsorbent.

Abstract: This invention is a process for removing minor amounts of organic halide e.g., organic chloride, contaminants from hydrocarbon feedstocks by contact with a regenerable solid adsorbent comprising a metal and/or metal hydride selected from nickel, cobalt or iron, or mixtures thereof on a porous refractory support, such as silica, whereby the halide present in the hydrocarbon feedstock is converted substantially to an insoluble metal halide salt of the supported metal or metal hydride with the hydrocarbon feedstock being recovered from the contacting step substantially free of organic halide contaminant. Also disclosed is a process for regeneration of the adsorbent loaded with metal halide from the hydrocarbon feedstock contacting step and an integrated process where the regenerated adsorbent is reused to remove additional organic halide from the hydrocarbon feedstock.

Abstract: Removal of organic sulfur compounds, especially aromatic sulfur compounds from an FCC feedstock with minimal adsorption of aromatic hydrocarbons is achieved using a zeolite X exchanged with alkali or alkaline earth cations. KX is an especially effective adsorbent. Where the KX is loaded with a group VIII metal, particular palladium or platinum, the adsorbent is effectively regenerated by treatment with hydrogen at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: An adsorption arrangement in combination with a catalytic hydrocarbon conversion process suspends non-hydrocarbon materials that act to enhance the operation of the conversion zone by using an adsorption zone arrangement to keep the compounds in recirculation about the reaction zone and integrates the adsorption zone arrangement with a chiller to increase the recovery of C.sub.4 hydrocarbons. The process of this invention is particularly useful for the isomerization of hydrocarbons wherein the adsorption zone arrangement operates to maintain chloride compounds in the reaction zone and to prevent contamination of product streams with the chloride compounds while increasing the recovery of C.sub.4 hydrocarbons. This invention can be used in combination with traditional adsorptive methods of removing contaminant from feedstreams that enter reaction zones.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a liquid hydrocarbon stream useful as a precursor for transportation fuel and which contains an unacceptably high level of heteroatom compounds is provided for the removal of a significant portion of the heteroatom compounds from the hydrocarbon stream. The method and apparatus employ an adsorbent which is brought into countercurrent contact with a hydrocarbon stream in an adsorption zone to form a product hydrocarbon stream and a spent adsorbent stream. The adsorbent is recirculated to a desorption zone and is thereafter brought into cross-current contact with a reactivating medium, such as hydrocarbon gas, at elevated temperatures to form a reactivated adsorbent stream and a hydrogen/heteroatom stream. The regenerated adsorbent is recirculated back to the adsorption zone to form the adsorbent stream.

Abstract: Acidic halides, especially chlorides, are removed from a dry fluid stream by contact with dry particles of solid caustic. The solid caustic particles are preferably non-porous, and disposed as a fluidized bed. Salts deposit on the surface of the caustic and are physically removed, preferably by attrition, to regenerate the surface of the solid caustic. An dry, slightly alkaline salt can be the only product of neutralization. Salt coated beds of solid caustic can also be regenerated for reuse by attrition removal of salt deposits.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalytic hydrorefining of mixtures of hydrocarbons which contain hetero atoms such as nitrogen, sulphur, halogens and/or oxygen. The characterizing feature of the invention is that nickel or a nickel-molybdenum alloy containing more than 30% nickel, residue molybdenum, is thermally treated in an air atmosphere at temperatures of 400.degree. to 1200.degree. C. for a period of 0.25 to 10 hours, whereafter it is subjected to a hydrogen activation in the temperature range of 200.degree. to 600.degree. C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for removing oil from absorbent materials of the type used in components for absorbing oil and containing oil spills. The components are first passed through a press to squeeze some of the oil from the components. The components are then shredded to separate the components into separate pieces of the absorbent materials. An auger pushes the pieces of absorbent materials into an elongated tubular trommel having a perforated sidewall. The pieces of absorbent materials are sprayed with treatment fluids as the trommel is rotated to tumble the absorbent materials within the trommel. The oil and treatment fluids drain from the absorbent materials, and pass through the perforations in the trommel sidewalls and onto a collection trough. The collection trough directs the oil and treatment fluids through a separator to reclaim treatment fluids and oil for later use.

Abstract: A process for providing distillate products which are substantially sulfur free, which process comprises subjecting a distillate stream to conventional hydrodesulfurization conditions including a catalyst comprised of a Group VI metal and at least one Group VIII metal on a refractory support. The hydrodesulfurized stream is then treated with a solid adsorbent material capable of adsorbing beta and di-beta-substituted dibenzothiophene sulfur compounds.

Abstract: A process for separating polar substances (preferably water, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, nitriles) from hydrocarbon fluids employs a sorbent comprising aluminum borate and zirconium borate. Preferably, the sorbent composition has been prepared by coprecipitation.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for improving catalyst performance and yields in the manufacture of motor gasoline components. More particularly the process is directed to the removal of H.sub.2 S, sulfur compounds, trace amounts of acetonitrile or acetone or propionitrile from a hydrocarbon feedstock, comprising a C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 product fraction from a fluid catalytic cracking unit which may be used subsequently in an etherification process for the production of ethers such as MTBE and TAME and/or an alkylation process for the production of alkylate. The hydrocarbon feedstock is passed to an amine treating zone, a mercaptan sulfur removal zone and an adsorption zone for the removal of sulfur compounds, water and trace amounts of acetonitrile or acetone or propionitrile. The regeneration of the adsorption zone includes the contacting of the sorbent with a heated regenerant vapor stream. The spent regenerant vapor stream is condensed to provide a hydrocarbon phase and an aqueous phase.

Abstract: Spent or inactive alumina-supported catalysts removed from a catalytic hydrotreating process and having carbonaceous and metallic deposits thereon are reactivated. After a solvent wash to remove process oils, the spent catalyst is contacted with steam at a temperature of 1000.degree. to about 1250.degree. F. for a period of about 2 to about 5 hours to form a reactivated catalyst suitable for reuse in a catalytic hydrotreating process. Optionally, the steam-treated catalyst can be regenerated by contact with an oxygen-containing gas at a temperature of about 700.degree. to about 900.degree. F. to remove carbon deposits from the catalyst, or, alternatively, the steam-treated catalyst can be acid-leached to remove undesired metals and then contacted with an oxygen-containing gas at an elevated temperature to remove carbon deposits.

Abstract: A process is shown for deabsorbing oil from an oil absorbent material. A citric oil-in-water emulsion is formulated having an aqueous external phase and having a dispersed internal phase which is comprised of a distilled citric oil. The hydrocarbon contaminated material is immersed within the citric oil-in-water emulsion, whereby absorbed hydrocarbons are extracted from the oil absorbent material.

Abstract: Spent or inactive alumina-supported catalysts removed from a catalytic hydrotreating process and having carbonaceous and metallic deposits thereon are reactivated. After a solvent wash to remove process oils, the spent catalyst is treated with an organic solvent, such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, at a temperature of 200.degree. to about 500.degree. F. for a period of about 1 to about 12 hours to form the reactivated catalyst suitable for reuse in a catalytic hydrotreating process. Optionally, the solvent treated catalyst can be regenerated by contact with an oxygen-containing gas at a temperature of about 700.degree. to about 900.degree. F. to remove carbon deposits from the catalyst, or, alternatively, the solvent treated catalyst can be acid leached to remove undesired metals and then contacted with an oxygen-containing gas at an elevated temperature to remove carbon deposits.

Abstract: The process relates to on-line rejuvenation of adsorbent beds which are used for removing mercury from mercury contaminated feeds.

Abstract: A process is provided for the pretreatment of heavy oil feeds to demetalate and remove coke precursors. Inert, sorbent material is utilized in a reaction zone to effect the contaminant removal and is cycled to a regeneration zone. The sorbent also adsorbs sulfur oxides produced in a regeneration zone which are then cycled back to the reaction zone, converted to hydrogen sulfide, and removed from the system. The preferred sorbent material is high surface area alumina, having an average surface area in the circulating inventory of greater than 100 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: In the purification of light hydrocarbons to remove carbonyl sulfide impurity by selective adsorption thereof on molecular sieve adsorbents, significant losses of the hydrocarbon are incurred by its coadsorption on the adsorbent with the COS impurity. Conventional desorption procedures produce a desorbate which is a non-commercial mixture of COS and hydrocarbon. The purge desorption method of the present invention utilizing a mixture of CO.sub.2 and a non-sorbable purge gas permits recovery of the coadsorbed hydrocarbon in a pure and commercially useful form.

Abstract: Molecular sieves are used to remove sulfur compounds (e.g., COS and H.sub.2 S) from liquid hydrocarbon streams, particularly liquid propane. During regeneration of the sieves, some of the liquid hydrocarbons remains on the sieves and is lost by vaporization during the purge step and the liquid fill step. This invention reduces the loss by recovery and recycle of the vaporized hydrocarbons in the liquid recovery process.

Abstract: Molecular sieves are used to remove sulfur compounds (e.g., COS and H.sub.2 S) from liquid hydrocarbon streams, particularly liquid propane. During regeneration of the sieves, some of the liquid hydrocarbons remains on the sieves and is lost be vaporization during the purge step and the liquid fill step. This invention reduces the loss by recovery and recycle of the vaporized hydrocarbons in the liquid recovery process.

Abstract: Coke and metals are removed from a carbo-metallic oil by contacting the carbo-metallic oil in a riser reaction zone with a relatively inert particulate sorbent material in the presence of steam and the resulting coked particulate sorbent material is regenerated in a regeneration zone in the presence of steam and oxygen to remove the carbonaceous deposits by means of oxidation, water gas reaction and carbon gasification. The operating conditions in the riser reaction zone and the regeneration zone are regulated to provide a maximum coke level on the regenerated particulate sorbent of about 0.25 wt. %.

Abstract: Treatment of diesel or jet fuel with a non-ionic, macroreticular, cross-linked, acrylic aliphatic ester resin reduces polar impurities and (diesel) color.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing mercury from hydrocarbon fluids by high temperature reactive adsorption. A hydrocarbon feed passed through an adsorbent mass including a reactive adsorbent such as silver or copper sulfide on an alumina support. The optimum temperature of the feed to be treated depends upon the 90% boiling points corresponding to heavier feeds. A hydrocarbon condensate feed may be drawn from a stabilizer column in a natural gas processing plant at a temperature in excess of 400.degree. F. If a metallic silver/alumina adsorbent is employed, the adsorbent may be regenerated through high temperature oxidation. Once oxidation is complete, the temperature is lowered in a reducing or inert atmosphere.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing accumulated metals, particularly vanadium and nickel, from particulate aluminosilicate materials and aluminosilicate materials that are obtained by the process. The process may advantageously be used to remove accumulated metals from spent aluminosilicate contact materials used in selective vaporization processes of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,128. The process of this invention yields materials suitable for effective recycling to a selective vaporization unit or for ecologically-acceptable disposal, as well as, optionally, recovery of metals in saleable form.

Abstract: A process for hydrogenating a hydrocarbonaceous charge stock containing nitrogen, sulfur or halogen-based impurities which process comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the hydrocarbonaceous charge stock in the presence of hydrogen with a hydrogenation catalyst in a hydrogenation reaction zone to simultaneously increase the hydrogen content of the hydrocarbonaceous charge stock and to generate at least one water-soluble inorganic compound produced from the reaction of said nitrogen, sulfur or halogen-based impurities in said hydrocarbonaceous charge stock and the hydrogen; (b) contacting the reaction zone effluent containing hydrogenated hydrocarbonaceous compounds and at least one said water-soluble inorganic compound with a fresh aqueous scrubbing solution; (c) introducing a resulting admixture of the reaction zone effluent and the aqueous scrubbing solution into a separation zone to provide a hydrogenated hydrocarbonaceous stream and a spent aqueous scrubbing solution stream containing at least a portion

Abstract: Basic nitrogen compounds (BNC) are selectively removed from solvent extracted oils by adsorption of said BNC's by solid acidic polar adsorbents. The oils are extracted using any of the common extraction solvents, such as furfural, phenol, SO.sub.2, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), preferably NMP. The resulting raffinate, which contains the desirable oil fraction, has the BNC's present therein removed by adsorption thereof onto an adsorbent, characterized as being a solid, polar acidic adsorbent, exemplified by silica-alumina, a high alumina base amorphous cracking catalyst (such as manufactured by Ketjen/Akzo) and crystalline zeolite (such as H-Y zeolites) are effective adsorbents. The adsorbents may additionally contain fluorine or may contain up to 30 weight percent water. The adsorbents are regenerated by either purging with hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure, or by washing the BNC saturated adsorbent with extraction process extraction solvent, such as NMP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and integrated process involving the utilization of a primary adsorption bed containing a regenerable, physical absorbent and an auxiliary sorption bed containing a chemisorbent and an optional physical absorbent for the removal of sulfur compounds and water from a fluid stream, which process provides for higher yields, higher purity and lower costs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical process involving a processing step which is sensitive to the presence of at least one component contained within the stream to be processed. In particular, the present invention relates to an economical and efficient method of integrating the means for removing the deleterious component with the sensitive processing step by the use of a sorbent which is capable of removing the at least one deleterious component at sorption conditions which enables the stream to be in the vapor phase for subsequent introduction to the sensitive processing step which is also carried out in the vapor phase. Most preferably, the sorption conditions are substantially the same as the conditions within the sensitive processing step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical process involving a processing step which is sensitive to the presence of at least one component contained within the stream to be processed and to an economical and efficient method of temporarily removing such deleterious component from the stream so as to have the deleterious component by-pass the step which is sensitive to this component using an adsorbent for such removal wherein the adsorbent is regenerated by the product effluent stream leaving the sensitive processing step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and integrated process involving the utilization of a primary adsorption bed containing a regenerable, physical adsorbent and an auxiliary sorption bed containing a chemisorbent for the removal of sulfur compounds from a fluid stream, which process provides for higher yields, higher purity and lower costs. A system for removing sulfur compounds in accordance with the above process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Waxy oil distillates, preferably waxy petroleum oil distillates, most preferably waxy lube refrigerator, turbine, transformer or other speciality oil distillates which contain appreciable amounts of aromatics and polar molecule contaminants can have wax and aromatics/polars simultaneously and continuously removed from said oil using an adsorbent/desorbent system. The adsorbent system employs a combination of large pore polar adsorbent/hydrophobic molecular sieves. The desorbent system utilizes a combination small diameter polar solvent/large diameter non-polar solvent to regenerate the loaded adsorbent.

Abstract: Improved noncatalytic nonreactive alumina-silica solid for removing carbonaceous and metallic contaminants including nickel and vanadium from hydrocarbon feedstock by short term, high temperature contact comprises mullite and crystalline silica. In the decarbonizing and demetallizing process, impurities are deposited on the particles of the solid and the major portion of the feedstock is vaporized. After burning carbonaceous deposit from the particles, the hot particles containing nickel and vanadium are recycled into contact with incoming charges of contaminated feedstock. Periodically metals are removed from coke-depleted particles by extraction with a mineral acid at elevated temperature without dissolving or otherwise destroying the alumina-silica particles. The particles are then reintroduced into the system.

Abstract: Spent filter clay used in the removal of contaminating organic polar-type compounds from petroleum distillates is regenerated by flushing the spent filter clay with liquid methanol and recovering and recycling the contaminated wash methanol without distillation through the filter for additional flushing of the contaminants from the clay.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for regenerating a solid adsorbent which has been used to remove oxygen-containing hydrocarbonaceous compounds, water or sulfur-containing compounds from a hydrocarbon stream. The method is preferably applied to molecular sieves which have been used to remove ethers, alcohols and/or water from a light liquid phase hydrocarbon stream such as a stream which is rich in C.sub.4 hydrocarbons. The regeneration method includes stripping the adsorbent with a low temperature hydrogen-rich gas stream, which preferably has a temperature below about 200.degree. F., and then gradually increasing the temperature of the gas stream to customary regeneration temperatures.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for decarbonizing, demetallizing and/or desalting a hydrocarbon feed stock by: contacting, in a selective vaporization step, for a short hydrocarbon residence time at an elevated contact temperature, the feed stock with an inert solid contact material in a confined rising vertical column to vaporize a major portion of the feed stock and to provide, as combustible deposits on the contact material, an unvaporized minor portion of the feed stock which includes high Conradson Carbon components and/or metal-containing components of the feed stock; separating the vaporized major portion of the feed stock from the contact material bearing the combustible deposits; contacting in a combustion step the contact material, bearing the combustible deposits, with an oxidizing gas to oxidize the combustible deposits and generate heat, whereby the contact material is heated by combustion of the combustible deposits; and recycling the so-heated contact material to contact further feed stock in t

Abstract: Whole crude and bottoms fractions from distillation of petroleum are upgraded by high temperature, short time contact with a fluidizable solid of essentially inert character to deposit high boiling components of the charge on the solid whereby Conradson Carbon values, salt content and metal content are reduced. The upgraded hydrocarbon fraction may be supplied to fractionator, in which case the high temperatue contactor serves as a heater, e.g. crude heater for crude distillation, in addition to improving quality of the fractions derived by distillation. For charge stocks boiling above about 500.degree.-650.degree. F., the upgrading process yields a product suitable for charge to catalytic cracking in that Conradson Carbon, salts and metals are reduced to levels tolerable in catalytic cracking.

Abstract: The treating capacity of a finishing unit for oils of lubricating viscosity is increased and the quality of oil treated therein is improved in a process comprising contacting regenerated clay adsorbent from said finishing unit with anhydrous acid gas prior to returning it to the adsorbent bed of said unit, and thereafter contacting said oil with said acid gas treated adsorbent.

Abstract: A method of removing a catalyst used for catalytic reactions of hydrocarbons from a reaction system for exchange or otherwise comprising treating the catalyst with water or a mineral oil in the presence of a surface active substance or both a surface active substance and a chelating agent to wet the catalyst. This method ensures a safe and simple removal of the catalyst without involving dust scattering, spontaneous combustion or generation of sulfur dioxide gas.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for catalytically cracking hydrocarbon feedstocks containing a contaminant deleterious to the process and catalyst and to a method for removing the contaminant from a crystalline aluminosilicate cracking catalyst used in the process, where the contaminant is vanadium, or vanadium and nickel, and optionally iron.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for catalytically cracking hydrocarbon feedstocks containing a contaminant deleterious to the process and catalyst and to a method for removing the contaminant from a crystalline aluminosilicate cracking catalyst used in the process, where the contaminant is vanadium, or vanadium and nickel, and optionally iron.