Energy, Mines & Resources - Canada

James E Kelly

Michio Ikura

Maria Stanciulescu

A novel micro-emulsion is described which is useful as a hydrogenation catalyst. The highly dispersed hydrogenation catalyst is prepared by forming an aqueous solution of a salt of a transition metal and a surfactant, adding this solution to heated petroleum pitch or a mixture thereof with a petroleum distillate, such as heavy gas oil, and mixing vigorously until a stable water-in-oil micro-emulsion is formed having an average diameter of less than about 1500 .ANG., which upon exposure to severe reducing conditions produces catalyst particles having an average size of less than about 500 .ANG.. The micro-emulsion thus formed is highly stable and has a long shelf-life and the catalyst particles formed under hydrogenation conditions are much smaller than previously reported.

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Nepean, Canada

James E Kelly