Intevep, S.a.

Jose A Guillen

Alfredo L Morales

Nelson P Martinez

Angel R Carrasquel

Magdalena M De Agudelo

A catalyst for use in the mild hydrocracking (MHC) of heavy vacuum gas oils to produce middle distillates and a method for the preparation of the catalyst and a process for treating the heavy vacuum gas oils with the catalyst. The catalyst comprises molybdenum, nickel and phosphorus supported on gamma alumina. The catalyst of the invention possesses a P/Mo+Ni ratio between 0.7 and 1.1, which endows it with a high capacity for hydrodesulfurization (HDS), hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) and hydroconversion of the fraction which can be distilled at 370.degree. C.+ to middle distillates, when the catalyst is used under MHC conditions, that is, T=variable, P=750 psig, LHSV=0.70 m.sup.3 /m.sup.3 h and the ratio H.sub.2 /VGO=300 Nm.sup.3 /m.sup.3. The new catalyst can operate for more than 26 months, maintaining a consistent conversion of 20% and achieving the sulfur and nitrogen requirements in the product obtained.

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Los Teques, Venezuela

Jose A Guillen