Abstract: A method for activating a hydrodesulfurization catalyst by passing a gaseous stream comprising carbon oxides, hydrogen, and sulfur-containing compounds into contact with the catalyst at a temperature from about 400.degree. to about 700.degree. F. until the outlet gaseous stream from the catalyst has a sulfur content substantially equal to the sulfur content of the inlet gaseous stream and thereafter increasing the temperature incrementally and continuing to contact the catalyst with the inlet gas stream until the sulfur content in the outlet gaseous stream is substantially equal to the sulfur content of the inlet gaseous stream after each incremental temperature increase.

Abstract: A method is provided wherein nickel molybdenum and cobalt molybdenum catalysts can be used in large scale sulfur hydrogenation reactors without runaway methanation and resulting exotherms while converting organic sulfur compounds to hydrogen sulfide in gas streams which contain significant quantities of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen.

Abstract: A method for removing water-soluble inorganic salts and ice from refrigerated heat exchange surfaces by contacting the surfaces with a methanol-water mixture.

Abstract: A start-up method for a methanation process wherein a plurality of catalyst beds are used. The method comprises heating a first catalyst bed to a suitable temperature and thereafter charging a synthesis gas in mixture with an inert diluent to the first catalyst bed. The product stream from the first catalyst bed contains an excess of hydrogen and is passed to a second catalyst bed thereby heating the second catalyst bed. At least a portion of the product stream from the first catalyst bed is recycled to form the inert diluent used with the synthesis gas stream passed to the first catalyst bed.