Abstract: The invention relates to catalysts comprising cobalt supported on a solid silica support and, in particular, to a method for manufacturing such catalysts. The catalysts may be prepared by slurrying a silica powder or impregnating a silica particle with a solution of a cobalt compound, cobalt amine carbonate, and aging the resulting slurry or solid at elevated temperature; the cobalt amine carbonate is decomposed and precipitated as basic cobalt carbonate onto the silica support. Preferably, the catalysts have a cobalt surface area in the range of 25 to >100 m2 per gram total cobalt. The catalyst may be used in hydrogenation reactions, Fischer-Tropsch reactions and oxidation reactions.

Abstract: The invention relates to catalysts comprising cobalt supported on a solid silica support and, in particular, to a method for manufacturing such catalysts. The catalysts may be prepared by slurrying a silica powder or impregnating a silica particle with a solution of a cobalt compound, cobalt amine carbonate, and aging the resulting slurry or solid at elevated temperature; the cobalt amine carbonate is decomposed and precipitated as basic cobalt carbonate onto the silica support. Preferably, the catalysts have a cobalt surface area in the range of 25 to >100 m2 per gram total cobalt. The catalyst may be used in hydrogenation reactions, Fischer-Tropsch reactions and oxidation reactions.

Abstract: A nickel/silica catalyst having a Ni/SiO.sub.2 molar ratio of 10 to 2.5, preferably 6 to 3, contains zinc in an amount of at least 500 ppm (based on the nickel) and maximally in a molar ratio Zn/SiO.sub.2 of 1. Additionally, the catalyst may comprise Mg in a molar ratio Mg/Ni of 0.05-0.15, max. (Mg+Zn)/Sio.sub.2 molar ratio is 1. Also the catalyst may comprise Al in a molar ratio Al/Si of 0.05-0.5. Also methods of preparing the catalyst and its use for hydrogenating oils and fats have been described.

Abstract: The invention provides a nickel/silica catalyst optionally also containing cations of a lower Group II metal (X), which catalyst satisfies the following combination of features:1) a molar ratio of SiO.sub.2 /Ni=0.15=0.352) a molar ratio of X/Ni=0-0.153) an active nickel surface area above 120 m.sup.2 /g4) a BET surface area of which at least 60% is found with pores with a radius below 1.5 nm.Preferably the catalyst has an atomic X/Ni ratio between 0.5-0.10 and a BET surface area of which at least 60% is found in pores having a pore radius of below 1.4 nm. The group II metal X is preferably magnesium or barium.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for removing fatty acid metal soaps derived from metals with an atomic number from 27 to 29 from hydrogenated fatty products comprising separating solid metal precipitated under the influence of hydrogen at a pressure ranging between 0.05 and 10 MPa from the hydrogenated fatty products. Preferably the hydrogen pressure is between 0.2 and 5 MPa. Preferably the metal is nickel. It is recommended to effect the separation by filtration, using a filter comprising vertical pressure leaves. Also it is possible to treat the hydrogenated fatty product with hydrogen under a pressure between 0.05 and 10 MPa before separating the metal from the fatty product.

Abstract: The invention provides a nickel/silica catalyst optionally also containing cations of a lower Group II metal (X), which catalyst satisfies the following combination of features:1) a molar ratio of SiO.sub.2 /Ni=0.15=0.352) a molar ratio of X/Ni=0-0.153) an active nickel surface area above 120m.sup.2 /g4) a BET surface area of which at least 60% is found with pores with a radius below 1.5 nm.Preferably the catalyst has an atomic X/Ni ratio between 0.5-0.10 and a BET surface area of which at least 60% is found in pores having a pore radius of below 1.4 nm. The group II metal X is preferably magnesium or barium.

Abstract: The invention provides a nickel/alumina/silicate catalyst, with an atomic ratio of nickel/aluminium between 20 and 2, a nickel/silicate ratio between 20 and 1, an active nickel surface area between 70 and 150 m.sup.2 /g nickel and an average pore size, depending on the above atomic ratio, between 4 and 20 nanometers. Preferably the nickel/aluminium atomic ratio is between 10 and 4 and the nickel/silicate ratio between 12 and 3. Preferably the catalyst has a specific porous structure.The invention also provides a method for preparing the catalyst by a two step process involving precipitating nickel ions and adding during a second, so-called ageing step a soluble aluminium compound and optionally the silicate. The silicate is preferably added during a second ageing step.The catalyst is useful for hydrogenating unsaturated organic compounds in particular oils.

Abstract: The invention provides a nickel/alumina/silicate catalyst, with an atomic ratio of nickel/aluminium between 20 and 2, a nickel/silicate ratio between 20 and 1, an active nickel surface area between 70 and 150 m.sup.2 /g nickel and an average pore size, depending on the above atomic ratio, between 4 and 20 nanometers. Preferably the nickel/aluminium atomic ratio is between 10 and 4 and the nickel/silicate ratio between 12 and 3. Preferably the catalyst has a specific porous structure.The invention also provides a method for preparing the catalyst by a two step process involving precipitating nickel ions and adding during a second, so-called aging step a soluble aluminium compound and optionally the silicate. The silicate is preferably added during a second aging step.The catalyst is useful for hydrogenating unsaturated organic compounds in particular oils.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of a transition metal-silicate catalyst in which an insoluble, basic compound of a transition metal having an atomic number between 26 and 30 (in particular nickel which has an atomic number of 28) is rapidly precipitated with an alkaline precipitation agent from an aqueous solution of such a metal salt, as a suspension, which precipitate is allowed to mature for a longer period in a suspended form, and, after the transition metal ions have been practically completely precipitated, soluble silicate is added to the suspension, after which the solids are separated from the liquid, optionally washed, dried and reduced.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of a transition metal-silicate catalyst in which an insoluble, basic compound of a transition metal having an atomic number between 26 and 30 (in particular nickel which has an atomic number of 28) is rapidly precipitated with an alkaline precipitation agent from an aqueous solution of such a metal salt, as a suspension, which precipitate is allowed to mature for a longer period in a suspended form, and, after the transition metal ions have been practically completely precipitated, soluble silicate is added to the suspension, after which the solids are separated from the liquid, optionally washed, dried and reduced.

Abstract: The invention provides new catalysts, useful for various hydrogenation reactions, which consist of 5 to 40% (w/w) of nickel upon a transition alumina, in particular gamma alumina support. These catalysts have an active nickel surface area of between 80 and 300, preferably 100-250 m.sup.2 /g of nickel and the nickel crystallites have an average diameter of 1 to 5, preferably 1.5 to 3 nanometers. The nickel crystallites are dispersed for at least 95% in the pores of the alumina.

Abstract: The invention concerns the preparation of glycerides in which glycidol is reacted with a fatty acid, first in the form of the anhydride to produce the corresponding epoxy glyceride or glycidol ester, at the same time liberating free fatty acid from the anhydride and thereafter continuing reaction, this time between the liberated free fatty acid or another acid, in the presence of an acylation catalyst under the influence of which the oxirane ring is ruptured and diglycerides produced. These may be used in the preparation of synthetic fats.