A method of reducing the amount of carbon monoxide present during the metal reduction step of start-up, thus, maintaining metal dispersion and improving the metal reduction and catalyst yields. Carbon monoxide formation is minimized during the start-up procedure and during the initial catalyst dryout phase in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere, gas is purged from the reactor system, either continuously at constant pressure or by a series of pressure/depressure cycles, to remove carbon monoxide. The purging is conducted at temperatures of about 30-500 C. and pressures of about 90-5,000 kPa(g) (0.9-50 bar(g)). In this temperature range, carbon monoxide absorbed to the surface of the metal will desorb into the hydrogen-containing atmosphere and can be removed from the system along with carbon monoxide present in the atmosphere through the purging.

The present disclosure relates generally to processes for initiating Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. In particular, the application concerns a process for the initiation of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, the process comprising: (i) providing the reaction zone with a temperature of no more than 140 C.; then (ii) purging the reaction zone with a purge gas comprising N.sub.2 at a pressure in the range of 2 barg to 10 barg; then (iii) contacting the catalyst in the reaction zone with a gaseous reaction mixture comprising H.sub.2 and CO in a ratio of between 1:1 and 3:1 at a pressure of no more than 20 barg and at a temperature of no more than 140 C.; then (iv) heating the reaction zone to a temperature of at least 200 C.; and (v) pressurizing the reaction zone to a pressure in the range of 30 barg and 45 barg.

The present invention relates to a wet start-up method for hydrogenation unit, an energy-saving hydrogenation process, and a hydrogenation apparatus. The method involves heating a start-up activating oil to a specific temperature and flowing the heated oil through a bed of hydrogenation catalyst bed, so that the temperature at the catalyst bed layer is increased to 18010 C. or above by means of heat exchange and the reaction heat generated from activation in the start-up method.

Processes for shutting down a hydroprocessing reactor and for removing catalyst from the reactor may comprise shutting off hydrocarbon feed to the reactor, stripping hydrocarbons from the catalyst, cooling the reactor to a first threshold reactor temperature, purging the reactor with N.sub.2 gas, introducing water into the reactor, and dumping the catalyst from the reactor, wherein the first threshold reactor temperature may be substantially greater than 200 F. In an embodiment, the water may be introduced into the reactor via a quench gas distribution system when the reactor is at a second threshold reactor temperature not greater than 200 F. to cool the reactor to a third threshold reactor temperature not greater than 120 F.

A mixture of heated water vapor, hot water, and optional solvent gases are injected into the formation through the wellhead, and the well and fracture network are filled with steam. The injection is ceased and the heated water vapor and solvent gases are allowed to soak, allowing the rock to take in the heat of the steam in the fractures via thermal conduction. The well is then opened allowing the well to produce hydrocarbons, and pressure of fluid in the fractures to drop. Oil and gas from the reservoir will then flow into the well and to the surface.