Abstract: Catalyst is the core of xylene isomerization process, and the stability of the catalyst plays a key role in the long-term operation of the device. The main facts influencing the lifetime of xylene isomerization catalyst are catalyst performance, raw material properties，catalyst regeneration as well as process conditions. Based on the long-term operation of phase 1 aromatics plant of SINOPEC Hainan Refining & Chemical Co.Ltd., the stability of the RIC-200 catalyst was analyzed. The results showed that high initial activity of catalyst, good control of impurity in raw material, stable process of regeneration, reasonable adjustment of process parameters could contribute to the stability of the catalyst. The measures to improve the service life of xylene isomerization catalyst RIC-200 were proposed.

Key words: xylene isomerization, RIC-200 catalyst, long-term