| abstract |
Heavy oils may be hydrotreated in the presence of a porous alumina support bearing metals of Group VIII, excluding cobalt, and VI-B and optionally phosphorus, the catalyst having a Total Surface Area of 240-320 m2/g, a Total Pore Volume of 0.65-0.9 cc/g, and a Pore Diameter Distribution whereby 50-62.8% of the Total Pore Volume is present as micropores of diameter 55-115 ANGSTROM and 20-30.5% of the Total Pore Volume is present as macropores of diameter greater than 250 ANGSTROM . The heavy oils and hydrogen are contacted with the catalyst such that the catalyst is maintained at isothermal conditions and is exposed to a uniform quality of feed. The process is particularly effective in achieving desired levels of hydroconversion of feedstock components having a boiling point greater than 1000 DEG F. to products having a boiling point less than 1000 DEG F. |