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: Process for the preparation of a catalyst support material comprising the steps of: (a) subjecting a used titania-on-silica catalyst to a decoking treatment, (b) washing the decoked catalyst with a washing liquid selected from an aqueous solution of a mineral acid, an aqueous solution of an ammonium salt and combinations thereof, and (c) drying and calcining the washed and decoked catalyst to yield the catalyst support material. The support material thus obtained is suitably used as support material for titania in a heterogeneous catalyst for the epoxidation of olefins into alkylene oxides.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for regenerating a catalyst in a fixed bed, for example a catalyst for reforming or for aromatic compound production, including a step for monitoring and controlling combustion completion which is carried out after the catalyst has undergone all of the combustion steps of the process. The monitoring and control step is carried out by injecting an oxygen-containing gas into the zone where monitoring and control takes place, the monitoring and control step being carried out under conditions which are more severe than those in the combustion steps. The monitoring and control step is carried out with an oxygen consumption of less than 10%. The temperature advantageously remains substantially constant.

Abstract: To improve the cold-start performance of a selective CO oxidation catalyst in a gas-cleaning stage of a gas generation system for producing a hydrogen-containing reformate gas (in particular for a fuel cell system), after the gas generation system has been switched off, a flow of medium is guided over the selective CO oxidation catalyst in order to flush out constituents which delay starting.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for regenerating a catalyst used in a process for synthesizing hydrocarbons. The synthesis process involves contacting a feed stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst in a reaction zone maintained at conversion-promoting conditions effective to produce an effluent stream comprising hydrocarbons. The regeneration process involves contacting a deactivated Fischer-Tropsch catalyst with a regeneration gas under regeneration-promoting conditions that include a pressure lower than the mean Fischer-Tropsch reaction pressure, for a period of time sufficient to reactivate the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst.

Abstract: In a reforming catalyst apparatus provided with a reforming catalyst for forming a hydrogen rich reformed gas by a reforming reaction of the fuel with water, the catalyst performance can be recovered by heating the catalyst within a temperature ranging from 500° C. to 800° C. while supplying said fuel and air to the catalyst. This method allows recovery of the catalyst performance without demounting the catalyst from the reforming catalyst apparatus and allows providing the reforming catalyst with a long service life.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a synthesis gas from a regeneration of spent cracking catalyst. The method includes introducing a spent cracking catalyst into a first regeneration zone in a presence of a first oxygen and carbon dioxide atmosphere and at a first regeneration temperature. For example, a temperature that does not exceed about 1400° F., and more preferable a temperature that ranges from about 1150° F. to about 1400° F., may be used as the first regeneration temperature. The method further includes introducing the spent cracking catalyst from the first regeneration zone into a second regeneration zone in a presence of a second oxygen and carbon dioxide atmosphere, and producing a synthesis gas from cracking deposits located on the spent cracking catalyst within the second regeneration zone at a second regeneration temperature substantially greater than said first regeneration temperature.

Abstract: An effluent abatement system for abating hydride species in a hydride-containing effluent, arranged for carrying out the steps of: (1) contacting the hydride-containing effluent with a dry scrubber material comprising a metal oxide that is reactive with the hydride species to remove the hydride species from the effluent, until the capacity of the dry scrubber material for hydride species is at least partially exhausted; and (2) contacting the at least partially exhausted capacity dry scrubber material with an oxidant to at least partially regain the capacity of the dry scrubber material for the hydride species. The system of the invention has particular utility in the treatment of effluent from III-V compound semiconductor manufacturing operations.

Abstract: A method for periodically reactivating copper-containing catalyst material includes applying an oxygen-containing gas stream to the catalyst material for reactivation purposes. When the reactor is in the warm operating state, the application of the oxygen-containing gas stream to the catalyst material is interrupted when the monitored temperature of the catalyst material exceeds a maximum level which is a predeterminable tolerance level above a predetermined operating temperature. In cold-start phases, initially a mixture of a fuel and an oxygen-containing gas stream is fed to the catalyst material, until the monitored temperature of the catalyst material exceeds a predeterminable switch-over level, after which only the oxygen-containing gas stream is supplied. To keep the reactor warm after operation has ended, the reactivation can be activated each time the temperature falls below a further threshold level.

Abstract: A method for removing a first sorbate having a first desorption activation energy and a second sorbate having a second desorption activation energy from a sorbent, involves a two-stage desorber. In a first stage, the first sorbate, second sorbate and the sorbent are contacted with a stripping fluid having a first temperature sufficient to separate the first sorbate in a vapor phase from the sorbent. In a second stage, the second sorbate and the sorbent is heated to a second temperature higher than the first temperature to separate the second sorbate in a vapor phase from the sorbent. The second sorbate can then be condensed to a liquid phase and sold to offset the costs of the process. Heating in the second phase can be facilitated by the introduction of microwave or infrared energy for stripping the second sorbate from the sorbent. Use of the microwave or infrared energy can be facilitated with a purging gas which can also be heated to function as a stripping gas.

Abstract: Catalyst activation of a platinum reforming catalyst system contained in a multiple reactor system by simultaneously reducing the catalyst with hydrogen while introducing a nonmetallic chlorine-containing compound into a reactor of the multiple reactor system in an amount to add from about 0.05 to about 0.3 weight percent chlorine to the catalyst and thereafter purging the system with about 100 to about 50,000 cubic feet of hydrogen per cubic foot of catalyst resulting in a reforming system having increased activity and providing enhanced RON values with reduced cracking of feedstock.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for decreasing the emissions of chlorine-containing species from a moving bed process for regenerating spent catalyst particles with a recycle gas stream. A recycle gas stream contacts spent catalyst particles at regeneration conditions, thereby producing a flue gas stream. The flue gas stream which contains chlorine-containing species contacts spent catalyst particles at sorption conditions. The sorption conditions are characterized by the substantial absence of carbon combustion. The spent catalyst particles sorb the chlorine-containing species from the flue gas stream, thereby producing the recycle gas stream. A portion of the recycle gas stream is vented from the process. This method captures and returns to the process the chlorine-containing species that would be lost from the process and that would need to be replaced by the injection of make-up chlorine-containing species. This method results in a significant savings in capital and operating costs of the process.

Abstract: A method for restoring lost activity and selectivity of fresh cesium-promoted catalysts which comprises heating the catalyst at an elevated temperature in the presence of a sweep gas immediately prior to using the catalyst. The catalysts are particularly useful for the selective epoxidation of olefins to their corresponding olefin epoxides. Also described is a method for inhibiting or preventing deactivation of fresh Cs-promoted catalysts.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a zeolite catalyst comprises the following stages:

Abstract: Catalyst activation of a platinum reforming catalyst system contained in a multiple reactor system by simultaneously reducing the catalyst with a sustained hydrogen flow through the multiple reactor system while introducing a nonmetallic chlorine-containing compound serially into each reactor of the multiple reactor system in an amount to add from about 0.05 to about 0.3 weight percent chlorine to the catalyst and thereafter purging the system with about 100 to about 50,000 cubic feet of hydrogen per cubic foot of catalyst prior to commencing use of the treated catalyst system for reforming hydrocarbon feed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for controlling afterburning in the regenerator of a FCC unit. The process and apparatus inject steam into the dilute phase within a regenerator to promote combustion of carbon monoxide before it enters the regenerator cyclones, plenum, or flue gas transfer lines.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for fluidising a catalyst or an adsorbent in a furnace which is fixed but the fluidised bed advances, optionally with rotation, in the presence of another inert solid with a granulometry which is different from that of the catalyst or the adsorbent, in the presence of a fluidisation gas, to carry out either stripping of a catalyst or an adsorbent or regeneration of a catalyst or an adsorbent in the furnace.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reactivating a dehydrocyclodimerization catalyst. Dehydrocyclodimerization catalysts which contain an aluminum phosphate binder can be deactivated when they are exposed to hydrogen at temperatures above 500° C. The instant process restores substantially all of the catalyst's lost activity. The process involves treating the catalyst with a fluid comprising water and drying the catalyst. The process is employed particularly advantageously in combination with coke removal for reactivating catalysts that contain coke deposits and that have also been hydrogen deactivated. This invention also relates to a method of producing a dehydrocyclodimerization catalyst that is resistant to hydrogen deactivation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for renewed activation of honeycomb-shaped catalyst elements for denitrating flue gases from fossil fuel-fired boiler plants, specially coal-fired boiler plants in large power stations. According to the invention, each catalyst element if mechanically cleaned using oil and water-free compressed air before mounting. Subsequently, each element is subjected to wet chemical cleaning using fully desalinated water and dried with oil and water-free compressed air. The inventive method enables the activity of used catalyst elements to be increased from less than 50% to more than 83% of original activity.

Abstract: A process for regenerating spent molecular sieve catalysts from a fluidized catalytic cracking unit in an oil refinery with high temperature flue gas from a second group of cyclones with the spent catalyst in a first riser regenerator to form a mixture of a half-regenerated catalyst and flue gas, separating the half-regenerated catalyst from the mixture formed in the previous step in a first group of cyclones, mixing the half-regenerated catalyst from the first group of cyclones with a sufficient amount of air for burning off coke on the spent catalyst in a second riser regenerator to form a mixture of high-temperature flue gas and a regenerator catalyst, separating the regenerated catalyst formed from the preceding step from the mixture in the second group of cyclones and recovering the surplus heat from the regenerated catalyst from the second group of cyclones by a regenerated catalyst cooler.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a zeolite catalyst comprises the following stages: (I) Heating a partially or completely deactivated catalyst to 250-600° C. in an atmosphere which contains less than 2% by volume of oxygen, (II) treating the catalyst at from 250 to 800° C., preferably from 350 to 600° C., with a gas stream which contains from 0.1 to 4% by volume of an oxygen-donating substance or of oxygen or of a mixture of two or more thereof, and (III) treating the catalyst at from 250 to 800° C., preferably from 350 to 600° C., with a gas stream which contains from more than 4 to 100% by volume of an oxygen-donating substance or of oxygen or of a mixture of two or more thereof.

Abstract: A method of treating a hollandite compound to improve its adsorption of nitrogen monoxide, which comprises subjecting a hollandite compound having a hollandite-type crystal structure and represented by a chemical formula AxMyN8-yO16, wherein A is an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal K, Na, Rb or Ca, M is a bivalent or trivalent metal element Fe, Ga, Zn, In, Cr, Co, Mg, Al or Ni, N is a tetravalent metal element Sn or Ti, 0<x≦2 and 0<y≦2, to a heat treatment in a stream of an oxygen-nitrogen mixture having oxygen gas and nitrogen gas mixed in a volume ratio of 3:97 to 50:50, at a temperature of from 50 to 1,500° C. for from 5 minutes to 1 hour.

Abstract: A process for pretreating a catalyst material for catalysing a chemical reaction in a reactor, in particular for a reforming catalyst material for catalysing a methanol reforming reaction to obtain hydrogen, includes (1) subjecting the catalyst material to a hydrogen-containing gas mixture in a forming step, and (2) subsequently subjecting the catalyst material to an oxygen-containing gas mixture in a deactivating step.

Abstract: A process for producing methacrolein and methacrylic acid by catalytically oxidizing isobutylene or tertiary butanol in the presence of a catalyst comprising a compound oxide containing molybdenum, bismuth and iron as the essential components, wherein a catalytic oxidation reaction is started at a temperature of (T−3)° C. or lower wherein T° C. is defined as the boundary temperature of activation energy of a reaction for obtaining methacrolein and methacrylic acid from isobutylene using said catalyst, the reaction is continued while the reaction temperature is increased as the activity of the catalyst decreases, and an activation treatment is conducted for the catalyst at least once before the reaction temperature exceeds the boundary temperature of activation energy.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a catalyst composition comprising at least one non-noble Group VIII metal component, at least two Group VIB metal components, and at least about 1 wt. % of a combustible binder material selected from combustible binders and precursors thereof, the Group VIII and Group VIB metal components making up at least about 50 wt. % of the catalyst composition, calculated as oxides. The invention also pertains to a process for preparing the catalyst, to its use in hydroprocessing and to its recycling. The catalyst according to the invention has a higher strength than corresponding binder-free catalysts, and are easier to recycle than catalysts containing a non-combustible binder.

Abstract: The method of the present invention involves the in situ formation of metal-molybdate catalyst particles active for methanol oxidation to formaldehyde, with iron as an example, the catalyst is made by mixing particulate forms of Fe2O3 and MoO3 which form an active Fe2(MoO4)3/MoO3 component inside the reactor during methanol oxidation.

Abstract: A process for the desulfurization, and reactivation of a sulfur deactivated catalyst constituted of cobalt composited with a titania support. The sulfur deactivated cobalt titania catalyst is first contacted with a gaseous stream of molecular oxygen at temperature sufficiently high to oxidize the sulfur component of the catalyst. The sulfur oxidized catalyst is next contacted with a liquid, preferably water, to remove the oxide, or oxides of the sulfur. The catalyst is then contacted with a reducing agent, suitably hydrogen, to restore the activity of the catalyst. During the treatment there is no substantial loss, if any, of cobalt from the catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for maintaining temperature during regeneration of an oxygenate to olefins catalyst using liquid water as a coolant in an amount sufficient either to reduce duty of a catalyst cooler or to avoid the need to use a catalyst cooler altogether. The method also may be used to hydrotreat fresh, non-hydrothermally treated catalyst which may be added to the regenerator and charged back to the conversion reactor along with the regenerated catalyst.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for regenerating a catalyst in a fixed or moving bed, for example a catalyst for reforming or for aromatic compound production, including a step for monitoring and controlling combustion completion which is carried out after the catalyst has undergone all of the combustion steps of the process. The monitoring and control step is carried out by injecting an oxygen-containing gas into the zone where monitoring and control takes place, the monitoring and control step being carried out under conditions which are more severe than those in the combustion steps. The monitoring and control step is carried out with an oxygen consumption of less than 10%. The temperature advantageously remains substantially constant. The vessel for carrying out the invention is also claimed.

Abstract: The invention is a method for preconditioning a palladium containing automotive catalyst by subjecting the catalyst to oxidation by means of an oxidizing gas containing at least 0.85% oxygen at a temperature of at least 450° C. preferably for at least 15 seconds. This oxidation can be carried out before or after engine shutdown. The catalyst is placed in the exhaust system in a location whereby the catalyst attains this temperature during steady state warm-up operation of the engine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the regeneration of a catalyst of titanium silicalite type, used in particular in reactions for the oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons or for the epoxidation of olefins, by heat treatment under a gas stream.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for decreasing the emissions of chlorine-containing species from a moving bed process for regenerating spent catalyst particles with a recycle gas stream. A recycle gas stream contacts spent catalyst particles at regeneration conditions, thereby producing a flue gas stream. The flue gas stream which contains chlorine-containing species contacts spent catalyst particles at sorption conditions. The spent catalyst particles sorb the chlorine-containing species from the flue gas stream, thereby producing the recycle gas stream. A portion of the recycle gas stream is vented from the process. This method captures and returns to the process the chlorine-containing species that would be lost from the process and that would need to be replaced by the injection of make-up chlorine-containing species. This method results in a significant savings in capital and operating costs of the process.

Abstract: Process for the regeneration of a fluorination catalyst based on Cr(III) compounds optionallay supported comprising a) the treatment at 350.degree. C.-400.degree. C. with an air/inert gas mixture and b) treatment at 300.degree. C.-380.degree. C. with a mixture of an inert gas containing from 1 to 10% by volume of hydrogen.

Abstract: Process for regeneration of a catalytic moving bed in which the catalyst successively passes through at least one combustion zone A, at least one halogenation zone B, and at least one calcination zone C, whereby this process operates in a partial-regeneration-mode, the partially coked catalyst that is obtained from the last combustion zone passes into the halogenation zone in which the amount of halogen and the amount of oxygen are essentially zero--the valves of tubes (19) and (20) are then virtually closed--and the catalyst then passes through the calcination zone in which the amount of oxygen is essentially zero--the valve of tube (11) is then virtually closed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for regenerating a catalyst for the production of aromatic compounds, in particular for reforming, comprising combustion (A), oxychlorination (B) and calcining (C) steps, in which at least one chlorinating agent (conduit 19), at least one oxygen-containing gas (conduit 18), and water (conduit 20) are introduced into the oxychlorination step such that the H.sub.2 O/HCl molar ratio is 3 to 50, the oxychlorination step being carried out in the presence of an oxychlorination gas containing less than 21% of oxygen and at least 50 ppm by weight of chlorine (based on HCl), and at a temperature of 350-600.degree. C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for removing water from a recycle gas stream in a catalyst regeneration process. A recycle gas stream contacts catalyst and the catalyst sorbs water from the recycle gas. Some of the now-dried recycle gas recirculates to the regeneration process, thereby decreasing the water content in the regeneration process. The catalyst containing sorbed water passes to a desorption zone, where water is desorbed from the catalyst and the desorbed water is rejected from the process. This method and apparatus are useful for extending the life of catalyst in catalytic hydrocarbon processes that employ continuous or semi-continuos catalyst regeneration zones.

Abstract: A method for regenerating a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst wherein at least a portion of a halogen-containing compound is precombusted in a precombustion zone, and the catalyst is regenerated in the presence of the halogen. By precombusting the halogen-containing compound in a precombustion zone rather than in the regeneration zone, this invention decreases the risk of permanent catalyst deactivation and of costly equipment damage in the regeneration zone. This method is adaptable to many processes for the catalyst conversion of hydrocarbons in which deactivated catalyst particles are regenerated in a moving bed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for controlling combustion in a fluid catalytic cracking regenerator. More specifically, afterburning which occurs during the combustion process is controlled by adjusting oxygen concentration in at least one of two combustion streams which is injected into a fluid catalytic cracking regenerator. Preferably, the combustion streams used in the invention are asymmetrically injected into a dense phase catalyst bed within the regenerator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward improved processes for the regeneration of noble metal-containing catalysts wherein iron contamination of the catalyst during regeneration is significantly diminished. It has been found that maintenance of any iron present in contact with the catalyst in the oxidized state (e.g., as Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 or Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4) during contact of the catalyst with a source of halogen in the regeneration haliding step results in a marked decrease in the degree of catalyst contamination by iron species.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for moving bed regeneration of a reforming or aromatic hydrocarbon production catalyst. The catalyst includes a support, at least one noble metal and at least one halogen. The process includes a combustion step in which the catalyst is treated in at least two successive combustion zones. Also, the process includes each combustion zone separated from adjacent combustion zones allowing catalyst to pass and preventing passage of gas, at least one oxygen-containing gas introduced into each zone and produced gases extracted from each zone, and the severity of the operating conditions in each zone increasing in the direction of catalyst flow. Advantageously, the combustion step ends in a zone for monitoring and controlling combustion completion characterized by a low or zero oxygen consumption.

Abstract: A process for decreasing the air-sensitivity of a carbon monoxide oxidation catalyst composition is provided. The process can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of (1) heating the composition at a temperature sufficient to produce an activated composition; (2) contacting the activated composition with an oxygen-containing fluid whereby a deactivated composition is produced; and (3) contacting the deactivated composition under reducing atmosphere and at a low temperature wherein the composition can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of platinum, iron, and an inorganic support; or can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of palladium, platinum, iron, and an inorganic support.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a methanol reforming catalyst includes pre-aging the catalyst by baking it out in a dry atmosphere in order thereby to complete its inherent initial loss of volume before the start of the methanol reforming reaction. The method may be used for methanol reforming reactors in fuel-cell-operated motor vehicles.

Abstract: Calcium sulfide particles in mixtures with carbon particles, as in coal gasifier waste, are converted to calcium oxide by repeated cycles of oxidation and reduction by utilizing the carbon as a source of the reducing gas required for the treatment. The treatment can be conducted in a two zone fluidized bed reactor by limiting the amount and concentration of oxygen supplied to a lower reducing zone and by supplying excess oxygen to an upper oxidizing zone. Alternatively, for particles less than 0.5 mm in size, the treatment can be conducted by utilizing either two transport reactors or two circulating fluidized bed reactors in series whereby the first reactor in the series is maintained in a reducing state and the second reactor is maintained in an oxidizing state. The particles are transported sequentially through both reactors and recycled several times.

Abstract: A method for recovering the activity of a ruthenium catalyst which comprises a step of bringing a ruthenium catalyst decreased in activity by its use in hydrogenation of an unsaturated organic compound into contact with oxygen in a liquid phase, and a step of maintaining the catalyst at a hydrogen partial pressure lower than that at the hydrogenation and a temperature not lower than a temperature lower by 50.degree. C. than the hydrogenation temperature.

Abstract: A process of regenerating catalysts is carried out by removing precipitates of carbonaceous materials from the catalyst. This process comprises contacting a deteriorated catalyst with a nitrogen oxide gas or a nitrogen oxide-containing gas at a temperature ranging between 200.degree. C. and 800.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biological process for regenerating metal-containing sulfide mitigation catalysts that are commonly known in the natural gas processing industry as liquid redox catalysts. The invention further relates to a sulfide mitigation process wherein mitigation and regeneration are performed in a single reactor under substantially anaerobic conditions. The present invention also relates to a self regenerating catalyst composition for the mitigation of sulfides.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and unit for regenerating a catalyst for the production of aromatic compounds, in particular for reforming, the catalyst being in a moving bed, comprising combustion, oxychlorination and calcining steps, in which at least one chlorinating agent, at least one oxygen-containing gas, and water are introduced into the oxychlorination step such that the H.sub.2 O/HCl molar ratio is 1 to 50, the oxychlorination step being carried out in the presence of an oxychlorination gas containing less than 21% of oxygen and at least 50 ppm by weight of chlorine (based on HCl), and at a temperature of 350-600.degree. C., and in which the combustion step is carried out in at least two combustion zones, each zone being separated from the adjacent zones, and at least one gas charged with oxygen is introduced into each zone, the gases produced being extracted from each zone, and in which the severity of the operating conditions increases in the direction of flow of the catalyst.

Abstract: A particulate catalyst is regenerated by upward transport in a combustor having an extended length and separated from combustion gases with a single stage of cyclones. The extended length combustor ends with a termination device arranged to tangentially discharge particulate catalyst and gases into an open disengaging vessel and to achieve a high separation efficiency. Initial high separation efficiency provided by the termination device permits a single downstream stage of cyclones to reduce particulate emissions to acceptable levels. The combination of the separation device and the extended combustor can accommodate changes in particulate densities in the extended combustor without inducing cyclone overload.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward improved processes for the regeneration of noble metal-containing catalysts wherein iron contamination of the catalyst during regeneration is significantly diminished. It has been found that maintenance of any iron present in contact with the catalyst in the oxidized state (e.g., as Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 or Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4) during contact of the catalyst with a source of halogen in the regeneration haliding step results in a marked decrease in the degree of catalyst contamination by iron species.

Abstract: Advantageous processes are disclosed for the production of vinyl fluoride. Also disclosed are advantageous methods which may be employed for the preparation of catalysts useful in such processes. Included are methods which involve (i) reducing surface B.sub.2 O.sub.3 present in a bulk chromium oxide composition containing surface B.sub.2 O.sub.3 by treating said composition with HF at an elevated temperature and/or (ii) treating a bulk chromium oxide composition containing B.sub.2 O.sub.3 to enrich the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 present on its surface by heating said composition in oxygen or an oxygen-containing environment (e.g., air) at an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to enrich the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 on the surface of the composition by at least a factor of two compared to the surface analysis of the untreated bulk composition.