| 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 first contacted with an organic liquid, followed by the catalyst being contacted with hydrogen and a sulfur-containing compound in the gaseous phase. The invention also pertains to the sulfided catalyst composition and its use in hydrotreating. Catalysts sulfided by the process according to the invention show a higher activity than the same catalysts which have not been sulfided. It is preferred to carry out the process according to the invention ex situ, where it solves the problem of difficult start-up and the formation of undesirable side products in the hydrotreating unit. The organic liquid may be a hydrocarbon with a boiling range of about 150-500° C., preferably white oil, gasoline, diesel, gas oil, or mineral lube oil. 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. |