This disclosure relates to a procedure, which through the application of a catalyst in homogeneous phase, allows the transformation of heavy hydrocarbons (vacuum residue, atmospheric residue, heavy and extra-heavy crudes) into hydrocarbons of lower molecular weight, characterized because after its application, the hydrocarbons obtain greater API gravity, lower kinematic viscosity and different composition by hydrocarbon families (SARA) that increases the proportion of saturated and aromatic resins and asphalts. The sulphur and nitrogen content is also reduced, resulting in higher yields to high commercial value distillates and a lighter product as compared to the original crude.

This disclosure relates to a procedure, which through the application of a catalyst in homogeneous phase, allows the transformation of heavy hydrocarbons (vacuum residue, atmospheric residue, heavy and extra-heavy crudes) into hydrocarbons of lower molecular weight, characterized because after its application, the hydrocarbons obtain greater API gravity, lower kinematic viscosity and different composition by hydrocarbon families (SARA) that increases the proportion of saturated and aromatic resins and asphalts. The sulphur and nitrogen content is also reduced, resulting in higher yields to high commercial value distillates and a lighter product as compared to the original crude.

The present development is a metal particle coated nanowire catalyst for use in the hydrodesulfurization of fuels and a process for the production of the catalyst. The catalyst comprises titanium(IV) oxide nanowires wherein the nanowires are produced by exposure of a TiO.sub.2—KOH paste to microwave radiation. Metal particles selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, tungsten, or a combination thereof, are impregnated on the metal oxide nanowire surface. The metal impregnated nanowires are sulfided to produce catalytically-active metal particles on the surface of the nanowires The catalysts of the present invention are intended for use in the removal of thiophenic sulfur from liquid fuels through a hydrodesulfurization (HDS) process in a fixed bed reactor. The presence of nanowires improves the HDS activity and reduces the sintering effect, therefore, the sulfur removal efficiency increases.

The present development is a metal particle coated nanowire catalyst for use in the hydrodesulfurization of fuels and a process for the production of the catalyst. The catalyst comprises titanium(IV) oxide nanowires wherein the nanowires are produced by exposure of a TiO.sub.2—KOH paste to microwave radiation. Metal particles selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, tungsten, or a combination thereof, are impregnated on the metal oxide nanowire surface. The metal impregnated nanowires are sulfided to produce catalytically-active metal particles on the surface of the nanowires The catalysts of the present invention are intended for use in the removal of thiophenic sulfur from liquid fuels through a hydrodesulfurization (HDS) process in a fixed bed reactor. The presence of nanowires improves the HDS activity and reduces the sintering effect, therefore, the sulfur removal efficiency increases.

A method for producing a hydrocracking catalyst includes preparing a framework substituted Y-type zeolite, preparing a binder, co-mulling the framework substituted Y-type zeolite, the binder, and one or more hydrogenative metal components to form a catalyst precursor, and calcining the catalyst precursor to generate the hydrocracking catalyst. The framework substituted Y-type zeolite is prepared by calcining a Y-type zeolite at 500° C. to 700° C. to form a calcined Y-type zeolite. Further, the framework substituted Y-type zeolite is prepared by forming a suspension containing the calcined Y-type zeolite, the suspension having a liquid to solid mass ratio of 5 to 15, adding acid to adjust the pH of the suspension to less than 2.0, adding and mixing one or more of a zirconium compound, a hafnium compound, or a titanium compound to the suspension, and neutralizing the pH of the suspension to obtain the framework substituted Y-type zeolite.

A method for producing a hydrocracking catalyst includes preparing a framework substituted Y-type zeolite, preparing a binder, co-mulling the framework substituted Y-type zeolite, the binder, and one or more hydrogenative metal components to form a catalyst precursor, and calcining the catalyst precursor to generate the hydrocracking catalyst. The framework substituted Y-type zeolite is prepared by calcining a Y-type zeolite at 500° C. to 700° C. to form a calcined Y-type zeolite. Further, the framework substituted Y-type zeolite is prepared by forming a suspension containing the calcined Y-type zeolite, the suspension having a liquid to solid mass ratio of 5 to 15, adding acid to adjust the pH of the suspension to less than 2.0, adding and mixing one or more of a zirconium compound, a hafnium compound, or a titanium compound to the suspension, and neutralizing the pH of the suspension to obtain the framework substituted Y-type zeolite.

The invention concerns a method for rejuvenating an at least partially used catalyst originating from a hydroprocessing and/or hydrocracking process, the at least partially used catalyst being derived from a fresh catalyst comprising at least one group VIII metal (in particular, Co), at least one group VIB metal (in particular, Mo), an oxide support, and optionally phosphorus, the method comprising the steps: ⋅a) regenerating the at least partially used catalyst in a gas stream containing oxygen at a temperature between 300° C. and 550° C. so as to obtain a regenerated catalyst, ⋅b) then placing the regenerated catalyst in contact with phosphoric acid and an organic acid, each having acidity constant pKa greater than 1.5, ⋅c) performing a drying step at a temperature less than 200° C. without subsequently calcining it, so as to obtain a rejuvenated catalyst.

The invention concerns a method for rejuvenating an at least partially used catalyst originating from a hydroprocessing and/or hydrocracking process, the at least partially used catalyst being derived from a fresh catalyst comprising at least one group VIII metal (in particular, Co), at least one group VIB metal (in particular, Mo), an oxide support, and optionally phosphorus, the method comprising the steps: ⋅a) regenerating the at least partially used catalyst in a gas stream containing oxygen at a temperature between 300° C. and 550° C. so as to obtain a regenerated catalyst, ⋅b) then placing the regenerated catalyst in contact with phosphoric acid and an organic acid, each having acidity constant pKa greater than 1.5, ⋅c) performing a drying step at a temperature less than 200° C. without subsequently calcining it, so as to obtain a rejuvenated catalyst.

A subject matter of the invention is a catalyst comprising a support and an active phase consisting of nickel, molybdenum and tungsten, and phosphorus, the nickel content, measured in the NiO form, is between 3% and 4% by weight; the molybdenum content, measured in the MoO.sub.3 form, is between 2% and 4% by weight; the tungsten content, measured in the WO.sub.3 form, is between 34% and 40% by weight; the phosphorus content, measured in the P.sub.2O.sub.5 form, is between 3% and 4% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the catalyst; the WO.sub.3/MoO.sub.3 molar ratio is between 5.3 and 12.4 mol/mol, the NiO/(WO.sub.3 + MoO.sub.3) molar ratio is between 0.20 and 0.33 mol/mol and the P.sub.2O.sub.5/(WO.sub.3 + MoO.sub.3) molar ratio is between 0.21 and 0.34 mol/mol. The invention also relates to its method of preparation and to its use in hydrotreating and/or hydrocracking.

A subject matter of the invention is a catalyst comprising a support and an active phase consisting of nickel, molybdenum and tungsten, and phosphorus, the nickel content, measured in the NiO form, is between 3% and 4% by weight; the molybdenum content, measured in the MoO.sub.3 form, is between 2% and 4% by weight; the tungsten content, measured in the WO.sub.3 form, is between 34% and 40% by weight; the phosphorus content, measured in the P.sub.2O.sub.5 form, is between 3% and 4% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the catalyst; the WO.sub.3/MoO.sub.3 molar ratio is between 5.3 and 12.4 mol/mol, the NiO/(WO.sub.3 + MoO.sub.3) molar ratio is between 0.20 and 0.33 mol/mol and the P.sub.2O.sub.5/(WO.sub.3 + MoO.sub.3) molar ratio is between 0.21 and 0.34 mol/mol. The invention also relates to its method of preparation and to its use in hydrotreating and/or hydrocracking.