Abstract: Petroleum-derived feedstocks are treated at elevated temperatures and pressures in the presence of hydrogen and in contact with a bed of porous catalytic particles. In accordance with the invention, each of the catalytic particles is specially shaped as a cylinder of polylobate cross-section having bluntly rounded, concave, interlobular interstices and in conformity with a selected combination of values of three defining parameters. The particle shape is further characterized as being substantially straight-sided and as having a geometric surface-to-volume ratio in the range of about 40 to about 95 in.sup.2 /in.sub.3. When the catalyst particle cross-section is selected to be circumscribed by a rectangle, the shorter side of the rectangle is about 70% as long as the longer side of the rectangle for all preferred combinations of values of the defining radial parameters.

Abstract: Petroleum-derived feedstocks are treated at elevated temperatures and pressures in the presence of hydrogen and in contact with a bed of porous catalytic particles. In accordance with the invention, each of the catalytic particles is specially shaped as a cylinder of polylobate cross-section having bluntly rounded, concave, interlobular interstices and in conformity with a selected combination of values of three defining parameters. The particle shape is further characterized as being substantially straight-sided and as having a geometric surface-to-volume ratio in the range of about 40 to about 95 in .sup.2 /in.sup.3. When the catalyst particle cross-section is selected to be circumscribed by a rectangle, the shorter side of the rectangle is about 70% as long as the longer side of the rectangle for all preferred combinations of values of the defining radial parameters.

Abstract: Hydrogen-containing gas mixtures including saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon gases, carbon monoxide and organic sulfur contaminants are purified by passing them over a hydrogenation catalyst containing phosphorus with the addition of predetermined limited amounts of water. The process makes it possible to produce hydrogen-containing gases which can be used for hydrogenation processes with the elimination or reduction of carbon monoxide, olefins and organic sulfur, all brought about simultaneously by passing the gas mixture over the same catalyst and in the same reactor.