Catalyst activation for selective hydrogenation of contaminants in a light olefin stream

Abstract

A process for activating a hydrogenation catalyst comprising nickel to produce a selective hydrogenation catalyst, comprising contacting the hydrogenation catalyst with a mixed gas comprising and hydrogen sulfide and periodically increasing the temperature of the mixed gas in increments until the mixed gas reaches a temperature that facilities the efficient catalytic hydrogenation of both acetylene and butadiene by the modified catalyst, while the modified catalyst is simultaneously characterized by low selectivity for the hydrogenation of ethylene. The disclosure further claims a process that utilizes the modified catalyst to selectively hydrogenate acetylene and butadiene contaminants in a raw light olefin stream produced by thermal cracking, thereby extending the useful catalytic lifespan of a downstream oligomerization catalyst that converts the light olefins stream to a liquid transportation fuel, or a blend stock thereof.