Abstract: A process comprises providing a catalyst comprising a support, a microwave absorption material, and a catalytically active phase; heating the catalyst with a source of microwave energy which is absorbed by said microwave absorption material to increase the temperature of the catalyst to a desired temperature; and contacting said heated catalyst with a hydrocarbon feedstock for upgrading same.

Abstract: A catalyst support includes substantially spherical particles of a substantially homogeneous mixture of at least two compounds selected from the group consisting of refractory inorganic oxides, refractory inorganic carbides, refractory inorganic nitrides and mixtures thereof, wherein said particles have a surface area of at least about 30 m.sup.2 /g, an average pore diameter of at least about 150 .ANG., and a particle size of at least about 0.1 mm. The support may be used in a catalyst system to support a Group IVb and a Group VIII metal in a catalyst system useful for hydrogenation of carbon monoxide into C.sub.2 + hydrocarbons. A method is also provided for preparing the catalyst support and system.

Abstract: A catalyst support includes substantially spherical particles of a substantially homogeneous mixture of at least two compounds selected from the group consisting of refractory inorganic oxides, refractory inorganic carbides, refractory inorganic nitrides and mixtures thereof, wherein said particles have a surface area of at least about 30 m.sup.2 /g, an average pore diameter of at least about 150 .ANG., and a particle size of at least about 0.1 mm. The support may be used in a catalyst system to support a Group IVb and a Group VIII metal in a catalyst system useful for hydrogenation of carbon monoxide into C.sub.2 + hydrocarbons. A method is also provided for preparing the catalyst support and system.

Abstract: A catalyst support includes substantially spherical particles of a substantially homogeneous mixture of at least two compounds selected from the group consisting of refractory inorganic oxides, refractory inorganic carbides, refractory inorganic nitrides and mixtures thereof, wherein said particles have a surface area of at least about 30 m.sup.2 /g, an average pore diameter of at least about 150 .ANG., and a particle size of at least about 0.1 mm. The support may be used in a catalyst system to support a Group IVb and a Group VIII metal in a catalyst system useful for hydrogenation of carbon monoxide into C.sub.2 + hydrocarbons. A method is also provided for preparing the catalyst support and system.

Abstract: A method for producing a catalyst for use in the hydrotreatment, hydrodemetallization and hydrocracking of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks containing high metal levels of vanadium, nickel and sulfur comprises the steps of preparing a carrier from a naturally occurring material consisting essentially of magnesium silicate having a sheet-type structure, iron and nickel wherein the carrier is prepared directly from the above naturally occurring material or, in the alternative, it can be prepared from the naturally occurring material in combination with a catalyst component. In the event the carrier for the catalyst is prepared from the above naturally occurring material without the addition of the catalyst component, the carrier can be impregnated with the catalyst component. The resultant catalyst is particularly useful in the treatment of heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks.