Abstract: Porous composite particles are provided which comprise an aluminum oxide component, e.g., crystalline boehmite, and a swellable clay component, e.g., synthetic hectorite, intimately dispersed within the aluminum oxide component at an amount effective to increase the hydrothermal stability, pore volume, and/or the mesopore pore mode of the composite particles relative to the absence of the swellable clay. Also provided is a method for making the composite particles, agglomerate particles derived therefrom, and a process for hydroprocessing petroleum feedstock using the agglomerates to support a hydroprocessing catalyst.

Abstract: A process for preparing supported nickel catalyst consisting of supporting nickel or metal salt of nickel, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal having low melting point on silicon and aluminum-containing support having high surface area such as zeolite, silica and alumina as an oxide by melting effectively nickel or metal salt of nickel, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal having low melting point is disclosed. This process is characterized in that the supported nickel catalyst prepared by the present invention can be used in reforming reaction of hydrocarbons by using carbon dioxide, steam and oxygen as an oxidant. Metal salts used in the preparation of supported nickel catalyst is generally nitrate, chloride, acetate and carbonate having low melting point of 500° C. or less. The contents of nickel, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal of the catalyst are 1 to 20% by weight, 10% by weight or less and 20% by weight or less, respectively.