Process for activating a hydrotreating catalyst

Abstract

The invention pertains to a process for activating an hydrotreating catalyst comprising a Group VIB metal oxide and a Group VIII metal oxide which process comprises contacting the catalyst with an acid and an organic additive which has a boiling point in the range of 80-500° C. and a solubility in water of at least 5 grams per liter (20° C., atmospheric pressure), optionally followed by drying under such conditions that at least 50% of the additive is maintained in the catalyst. The hydrotreating catalyst may be a fresh hydrotreating catalyst or a used hydrotreating catalyst which has been regenerated.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The hydrotreating catalyst obtainable by a process comprising contacting the catalyst with an acid and an organic additive which has a boiling point in the range of 80-500° C. and a solubility in water of at least 5 grams per liter (20° C., atmospheric pressure), optionally followed by drying under such conditions that at least 50 wt % of the additive is maintained in the catalyst. 
     
     
         17 . A hydrotreating catalyst comprising a Group VIII metal oxide and a Group VI metal oxide, which catalyst additionally comprises an acid and an organic additive which has a boiling point in the range of 80-500° C. and a solubility in water of at least 5 grams per liter (20° C., atmospheric pressure). 
     
     
         18 . The hydrotreating catalyst according to  claim 16 , wherein the catalyst is a regenerated used catalyst or a calcined fresh catalyst and wherein the catalyst comprises a crystalline fraction below 5 wt % (expressed as weight fraction of crystalline compounds of Group VIB and Group VIII metals relative to the total weight of the catalyst). 
     
     
         19 . A process for hydrotreating a hydrocarbon feed in which a hydrocarbon feed is contacted under hydrotreating conditions with a catalyst according to  claim 17 , which optionally has been (pre)sulfided before it is contacted with the hydrocarbon feed.