FIELD: chemical or physical processes.
SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a method for activating a self-activating hydroprocessing catalyst used in the treatment of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock comprising contacting a self-activating hydroprocessing catalyst with steam. Self-activated hydrotreating catalyst includes: burnt particle containing a co-grinded mixture obtained by co-mashing: powder of an inorganic oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica and alumina-silica; molybdenum trioxide powder, in the form of finely divided particles with a maximum size of less than 500 mcm; and nickel compounds. Then, said ground mixture is formed into a particle that is burned to thereby provide a burned particle containing molybdenum present in an amount in the range of 1 to 10 weight percent, and based on the total weight of the calcined particle, and nickel, which is present in such an amount that the weight ratio of nickel to molybdenum is less than 0.4, and wherein the calcined particle has such a pore size distribution that less than 70% of the total volume of the pores of the calcined particle is pores with a diameter in the range of 70 Å to 150 Å, at least 10% of the total volume of the pores of the calcined particle are pores with a diameter in the range of 130 Å to 300 Å, and from 1% to 10% of the total volume of the pores of the calcined particle are the pores of the fired particle with a diameter greater than 1,000 Å. Firing is carried out at a controlled firing temperature in the range of about 450°C (842°F) to about 900°C (1,652°F) during the calcination time, which effectively provides a self-activated catalyst with a predetermined pore structure.
EFFECT: technical result is the additional activation of self-activated catalysts.
8 cl, 2 dwg, 4 tbl, 3 ex
