Embodiments of the invention relate to processes and apparatus for the washing and
recovery of
metal-containing catalyst solids in a form suitable for reclamation. More specifically, a catalyst
recovery process comprises removing an organic residue with a washing medium from a
metal-containing catalyst solids, recovering washed solids, and treating the washed solids under oxidative conditions to form non-reactive solids. The treatment oxidative conditions may be effective to convert the
metal(s) into an
oxide form and / or may facilitate the removal of remaining organic residue from the washed solids. The treatment of the washed solids may comprise
calcination. In some embodiments, the metal-containing catalyst solids may be recovered from a
slurry stream, and the process further comprises passing the
slurry stream though a separation unit to obtain a catalyst-enriched retentate
slurry. In some embodiments, the organic residue comprises a
hydrocarbon wax, and the
solid catalyst is a
hydrocarbon synthesis particulate catalyst.