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 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 invention pertains to a process for reducing the sulfur content of a hydrocarbon feedstock to a value of less than 200 ppm, preferably less than 50 ppm, which comprises subjecting a catalyst comprising a Group VIB metal component, a Group VIII metal component, and an organic additive on a carrier to a sulfidation step, and contacting a feedstock with a 95% boiling point of 450° C. or less and a sulfur content of 500 ppm or less with the sulfided catalyst under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure to form a product with a sulfur content of less than 200 ppm. The organic additive preferably is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds comprising at least two hydroxyl groups and 2-10 carbon atoms, and the (poly)ethers of these compounds.

Abstract: An FCC catalyst containing zeolite particles at least 50% of the outer surface of which is coated with a layer of pre-formed inorganic oxide is used in fluidized catalytic cracking of hydrocarbon feeds. The inorganic oxide layer has a thickness in the range of 10 nm to 5 &mgr;m and the ratio between the particle size of the oxide and the mean particle size of the zeolite particles is in the range of 0.001:1 to 0.5:1. The zeolite particles may be coated by contacting uncoated zeolite particles having a mean particle size in the range of 0.1 to 10 &mgr;m with an aqueous medium containing particles of the oxide having a particle size in the range of 10 to 5,000 nm, after which the particles are optionally dried or calcined. The oxide is preferably alumina. The FCC catalysts are less rapidly deactivated by contaminant metals present in heavy feeds and are less susceptible to blocking of the zeolite pores by coke.