Large-pore hydrodemetallization catalyst and process employing same

摘要

There is disclosed a catalyst for the hydrodemetallization of petroleum hydrocarbon streams containing asphaltenes and large quantities of metals. This catalyst consists essentially of a small amount of a single hydrogenation metal selected from the group consisting of metals from Group VIB of the Periodic Table of Elements and metals from Group VIII of the Periodic Table deposed on a large-pore alumina. The hydrogenation metal may be present in the elemental form, as an oxide, as a sulfide, or mixtures thereof. The catalyst is characterized by a surface area of at least 120 square meters per gram, a pore volume of at least 0.7 cc per gram, and an average pore diameter of at least 125 Angstrom units. Suitable examples of a hydrogenation metal are nickel and molybdenum. Also disclosed is a process for the hydrodemetallization of a hydrocarbon stream containing asphaltenes and a substantial amount of metals, which process comprises contacting said hydrocarbon stream in a reaction zone under suitable operating conditions and in the presence of hydrogen with the catalyst described hereinabove.