A method for making catalyst materials is disclosed in which active metal ingredients of the final catalyst are added to a mixture for extruding the catalyst material that includes a binder, one or more precursors of one or more base metals and/or one or more noble metals, and a crystal of a zeolite. The extruded catalyst material is then pre-calcined and ion-exchanged and then a final calcining step is applied. The catalyst materials made by such a method are also disclosed as is a method for treating a hydrocarbon stream using the catalysts.

Methods are provided for making base metal catalysts with improved activity. After forming catalyst particles based on a support comprising a zeolitic molecular sieve, the catalyst particles can be impregnated with a solution comprising a) metal salts (or other precursors) for a plurality of base metals and b) an organic dispersion agent comprising 2 to 10 carbons. The impregnated support particles can be dried to form a base metal catalyst, and then optionally sulfided to form a sulfided base metal catalyst. The resulting (sulfided) base metal catalyst can have improved activity for cloud point reduction and/or for improved activity for heteroatom removal, relative to a base metal dewaxing catalyst prepared without the use of a dispersion agent.

Methods are provided for making base metal catalysts with improved activity. After forming catalyst particles based on a support comprising a zeolitic molecular sieve, the catalyst particles can be impregnated with a solution comprising a) metal salts (or other precursors) for a plurality of base metals and b) an organic dispersion agent comprising 2 to 10 carbons. The impregnated support particles can be dried to form a base metal catalyst, and then optionally sulfided to form a sulfided base metal catalyst. The resulting (sulfided) base metal catalyst can have improved activity for cloud point reduction and/or for improved activity for heteroatom removal, relative to a base metal dewaxing catalyst prepared without the use of a dispersion agent.

A process for depolymerization of lignin, the process including using at least one catalyst internal to a pulp mill for performing catalytic treatment and separation of biomass components into cellulose and lignin rich material is provided.

Methods are provided for forming noble metal catalysts comprising both platinum and a second Group VIII metal, such as palladium, with improved aromatic saturation activity. Instead of impregnating a catalyst with both platinum and another Group VIII metal at the same time, a sequential impregnation can be used, with the Group VIII metal being impregnated prior to platinum. It has been discovered that by forming a Group VIII metal-impregnated catalyst first, and then impregnating with platinum, the distribution of platinum throughout the catalyst can be improved. The improved distribution of platinum can result in a catalyst with enhanced aromatic saturation activity relative to a catalyst with a similar composition formed by simultaneous impregnation.

Methods are provided for forming noble metal catalysts comprising both platinum and a second Group VIII metal, such as palladium, with improved aromatic saturation activity. Instead of impregnating a catalyst with both platinum and another Group VIII metal at the same time, a sequential impregnation can be used, with the Group VIII metal being impregnated prior to platinum. It has been discovered that by forming a Group VIII metal-impregnated catalyst first, and then impregnating with platinum, the distribution of platinum throughout the catalyst can be improved. The improved distribution of platinum can result in a catalyst with enhanced aromatic saturation activity relative to a catalyst with a similar composition formed by simultaneous impregnation.

Catalyst supports, supported catalysts, and a method of preparing and using the catalysts for the demetallation of metal-containing heavy oil feedstocks are disclosed. The catalyst supports comprise alumina and 5 wt % or less titania. Catalyst prepared from the supports have at least 30 to 80 volume percent of its pore volume in pores having a diameter of between 200 and 500 angstroms. Catalysts in accordance with the invention exhibit improved catalytic activity and stability to remove metals from heavy feedstocks during a hydroconversion process. The catalysts also exhibit increased sulfur and MCR conversion.

Catalyst supports, supported catalysts, and a method of preparing and using the catalysts for the demetallation of metal-containing heavy oil feedstocks are disclosed. The catalyst supports comprise alumina and 5 wt % or less titania. Catalyst prepared from the supports have at least 30 to 80 volume percent of its pore volume in pores having a diameter of between 200 and 500 angstroms. Catalysts in accordance with the invention exhibit improved catalytic activity and stability to remove metals from heavy feedstocks during a hydroconversion process. The catalysts also exhibit increased sulfur and MCR conversion.

In an aspect, a method for the aromatization of hydrocarbons comprises contacting a hydrocarbon feedstream with a catalyst; wherein the catalyst comprises a zeolite comprising Si, Al, and Ge in the framework with Pt deposited thereon; wherein the zeolite further comprises Na; and wherein the catalyst has an Si:Al.sub.2 mole ratio of greater than or equal to 125, an Si:Ge mole ratio of 40 to 400, and an Na:Al mole ratio of 0.9 to 2.5, wherein the catalyst has an aluminum content of less than or equal to 0.75 wt % excluding any binder and extrusion aide.

In an aspect, a method for the aromatization of hydrocarbons comprises contacting a hydrocarbon feedstream with a catalyst; wherein the catalyst comprises a zeolite comprising Si, Al, and Ge in the framework with Pt deposited thereon; wherein the zeolite further comprises Na; and wherein the catalyst has an Si:Al.sub.2 mole ratio of greater than or equal to 125, an Si:Ge mole ratio of 40 to 400, and an Na:Al mole ratio of 0.9 to 2.5, wherein the catalyst has an aluminum content of less than or equal to 0.75 wt % excluding any binder and extrusion aide.