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 120 m .sup.2 /g4) a BET surface area of which at least 40% is found with pores with a radius above 2.5 nm. Preferably the catalyst has an atomic X/Ni ratio between 0.05-0.10 and a BET surface area of which at least 45% is found in pores having a pore radius of above 2.5 nm. The group II metal X is preferably magnesium or barium.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for purifying crude glycerol such as splitters crude, soaplye crude and methanolysis crude which comprises a microfiltration step over a filter material on a ceramic support preferably comprising alumina. Preferably the filter material comprises zirconia and/or alumina. Preferably the process further comprises the step of distillation and/or treatment with ion exchange resins. Also the process may involve a combination of microfiltration and ultrafiltration.

Abstract: The invention provides a metal (Z=27-29)/alumina catalyst with an atomic ratio of active metal to aluminum between 12 and 1.5, having an active metal content of at least 75% in the activated catalyst, an active metal surface area between 60 and 150 m.sup.2 /g of metal, characterized in that the soyabean selectivity is below 2%, preferably below 1%.The invention also provides a process for the preparation of these catalysts and a method for the hydrogenation of saturated organic compounds using the catalyst.

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.