Process for ex situ sulfiding catalyst containing an S-containing additive

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a process for sulfiding a catalyst composition comprising at least one hydrogenation metal component of Group VI and / or Group VIII of the Periodic Table, and an S-containing organic additive wherein the catalyst composition is contacted with hydrogen and a sulfur-containing compound in the gaseous phase, characterized in that the process is carried out ex situ. By carrying out the process ex situ, the formation of undesirable side compounds in the hydrotreating unit is prevented. Additionally, the reactor suffers less downtime, and the start-up of the reactor may be simplified. The S-containing organic additive preferably is a mercapto-compound, more preferably a mercaptocarboxylic acid represented by the general formula HS-R1-COOR, wherein R1 stands for a divalent hydrocarbon group with 1-about 10 carbon atoms and R stands for a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, ammonium, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to about 10 carbon atoms. The invention also pertains to the catalyst made by the above process and a process for hydrotreating a hydrocarbon feed by contacting the feed with the catalyst at hydrotreating conditions.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority from European Patent Application Serial No. 00201299.5, filed on Apr. 11, 2000 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60 / 201,692, filed on May 3, 2000.[0002] 1. Field of the Invention[0003] The present invention relates to a process for ex situ sulfiding a catalyst containing an S (sulfur)-containing organic additive, in particular a hydrotreating catalyst containing an S-containing organic additive.[0004] 2. Prior Art[0005] Hydrotreating catalysts comprise hydrogenation metal components, generally a Group VI metal component such as molybdenum and / or tungsten and a Group VIII metal component, such as nickel and / or cobalt generally on an oxidic carrier. Before use, the hydrogenation metal components present in hydrotreating catalysts will generally be converted into their sulfides. This process is conventionally indicated as sulfidation or presulfidation. It is generally done before the catalyst is used in hydrotreating to ensure a stable reactor...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023] The concentration of sulfur-containing compound in the mixture of H.sub.2 and sulfur-containing compound is generally selected to be between about 1 and about 99 wt. %, preferably between about 10 and about 80%, calculated as H.sub.2S on the total of H.sub.2S and hydrogen. Of course, lower sulfur concentrations in this mixture will either lengthen the duration of the process or increase the required space velocity. The application of gas recycle may be attractive.

Problems solved by technology

It has appeared that when the catalysts of the above references are brought into the hydrotreating unit, undesirable components such as acetic acid may be formed during the start-up.