Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst for hydrotreating a coal liquefaction and circulation solvent, in which .gamma.-alumina carrier carries at least one metal of Group VI of the Periodic Table in an amount of from 15 to 15% by weight as the oxide thereof and at least one metal of Group VIII of the same Table in an amount of from 3 to 10% by weight as the oxide thereof and the pore distribution as measured by mercury pressure porosimetry satisfies the conditions that the pores having a diameter of from 40 to 600 .ANG. have a mean diameter of from 9 to 150 .ANG. and the capacty of the pores having a diameter falling within the range of the mean diametr plus/minus 10 .ANG. is 65% or more of the capacity of the pores having a diameter of from 40 to 600 .ANG.. The catalyst is highly active for both hydrogenation and denitrogenation of coal-liquefying solvents.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of a low density formed product of an activated alumina having a large macro-pore volume and an excellent abrasion resistance, which comprises mixing the starting solid material selected from an alumina powder being able to be re-hydrated and a mixture of the alumina and other solid material with water, said starting solid material having an average particle size of 1 micron to 35 micron and a quarter deviation of particle distribution of not more than about 1.5, forming the mixture of a solid material and water into various shapes, re-hydrating the formed product by keeping it under wetted atmosphere or in water, and calcining the resulting re-hydrated product.