Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for activating an hydrotreating catalyst comprising a Group VIB metal oxide and a Group VIII metal oxide which process comprises contacting the catalyst with an acid and an organic additive which has a boiling point in the range of 80-500° C. and a solubility in water of at least 5 grams per liter (20° C., atmospheric pressure), optionally followed by drying under such conditions that at least 50% of the additive is maintained in the catalyst. The hydrotreating catalyst may be a fresh hydrotreating catalyst or a used hydrotreating catalyst which has been regenerated.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for hydroprocessing a heavy hydrocarbon oil, comprising contacting a heavy hydrocarbon oil in the presence of hydrogen with a mixture of hydroprocessing catalyst I and hydroprocessing catalyst II. The process of the invention combines high contaminant removal with high conversion, low sediment formation, and high process flexibility.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a catalyst comprising 7–20 wt. % of a Group VIB metal component, calculated as trioxide on the weight of the catalyst, and 0.5 to 6 wt. % of a Group VIII metal component, calculated as oxide on the weight of the catalyst, on a porous inorganic carrier. The catalyst has a specific surface area of 100–180 m2/g, a total pore volume of at least 0.55 ml/g, at least 50% of the total pore volume in pores with a diameter of at least 20 nm (200 ?), 10–30% of the total pore volume in pores with a diameter of at least 200 nm (2000 ?), and 0–1% of the total pore volume in pores with a diameter above 1000 nm (10000 ?). The catalyst is particularly suitable for the hydroprocessing of heavy hydrocarbon feeds of which at least 50 wt. % boils above 538° C. (1000° F.). It is especially advantageous for the hydroprocessing of feedstocks of which at least 80 wt. % boils above 538° C. (1000° F.).

Abstract: The invention pertains to a hydroprocessing catalyst suitable for the conversion of heavy hydrocarbon oils, which comprises 7–20 wt. % of Group VI metal, calculated as trioxide, and about 0.5–6 wt. % of Group VIII metal, calculated as oxide, on a carrier comprising alumina, the catalyst having a surface area of about 100–180 m2/g, a total pore volume of about 0.55 ml/g or more, a % PV(>200 ? d) of at least about 50%, a % PV(>1,000 ? d) of at least about 5%, a % PV(100–1,200 ? d) of at least about 85%, a % PV(>4,000 ? d) of about 0–2%, and a % PV(>10,000 ? d) of about 0–1%. The catalyst of the present invention shows improved metals and asphaltene removal, combined with appropriate sulfur, nitrogen, and Conradson carbon removal. Additionally, the catalyst shows a decrease in sediment formation and an improved conversion in ebullating bed operations. In fixed bed operation, the catalyst produces product with an improved storage stability.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a hydroprocessing catalyst comprising a Group VIB hydrogenation metal component, a non-noble Group VIII hydrogenation metal component, an alkali metal component, and silica. The catalyst has a specific surface area, total pore volume and pore size distribution. The invention also pertains to the use of this catalyst in hydroprocessing of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks, e.g, in an ebullated bed process.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for preparing spherical oxide particles comprising the steps of shaping a starting material comprising an oxide hydrate into particles of substantially constant length by leading the material to a set of two rolls rotating towards each other followed by leading the material to a roll equipped with grooves to form rod-type shapes, cutting the rod-type shapes into particles of substantially constant length, converting the thus formed particles into spheres, and heating the particles to convert the oxide hydrate into an oxide. The process results in particles in which there is substantially no difference in density between the core portion and the shell portion of the particles, which results in a high abrasion resistance. The particles prepared by the claimed process are particularly suitable for the preparation of hydroprocessing catalysts, more in particular for the preparation of hydroprocessing catalysts suitable for the hydroprocessing of heavy hydrocarbon feeds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spherical catalyst composition comprising a Group VI metal component and optionally a Group VIII metal component on a carrier, which catalyst has a particle size of 0.5-7 mm, a total pore volume of 0.5-1.3 ml/g, an average pore diameter of 15-30 nm, and a % PV(>100 nm) of 2-30%, there being substantially no difference in density between the core region of the carrier particles and their surface regions. The catalyst is particularly suitable for use in non-fixed bed processes for the hydroprocessing of heavy hydrocarbon feeds. It has high hydrodesulfurization and hydrodemetallization activity in combination with a high abrasion resistance.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for regenerating a used additive-based catalyst comprising the step of regenerating the catalyst by contacting it with an oxygen-containing gas at a maximum temperature of 500° C. Preferably, the maximum catalyst temperature during the regeneration step is 300-500° C., more preferably 320-475° C., even more preferably 350-425° C. The regenerated additive-based catalyst obtained with the process according to the invention has a higher activity than an additive-based catalyst regenerated at a higher temperature. Additionally, its activity is also higher than that of a corresponding catalyst, which never contained an additive.

Abstract: A catalyst composition suitable for effecting simultaneous hydrodesulphurisation and hydrodemetallisation of sulphur and metals containing feedstocks which shows a high hydrodesulphurisation activity, a high hydrodemetallisation activity, and a long life is disclosed.The catalyst includes: a) a support, at least 90 wt. % of which includes alumina, which alumina has an R value of from 0.08 to 0.30, the R value being defined as the ratio between the integrated intensity of the X-ray diffraction peak at 2 .theta.=32.degree. and the integrated intensity of the X-ray diffraction peak at 2 .theta.=46.degree., b) from 2 to 8 wt. % of a Group VIB metal component, calculated as metal, c) from 0.5 to 2.5 wt. % of a Group VIII metal component, calculated as metal; and d) a pore size distribution as determined by nitrogen adsorption satisfying the following requirements: (i) a pore volume of from 0.5 to 1.