Development of a Process for the Preparation of an Active Hydrodemetallization Catalyst from Spent Catalysts

Spent hydroprocessing catalysts constitute a major portion of the solid wastes produced in Kuwait`s refineries. They are classified as hazardous wastes, since they contain toxic metals that can be leached by water and pollute the environment. Their disposal without proper treatment is environmentally restricted. Increasing emphasis has been placed in recent years on the development of alternative solutions to the spent catalyst problem. One of the attractive approaches for reducing the spent catalyst problem is to reuse them in the preparation of fresh hydrotreating catalysts by mixing them with alumina-containing materials and shaping.the mixture into compacted extrudates. The metals nickel, molybdenum and vanadium (i.e., Ni, MO and V), present in them can form
catalytically active phases that can promote hydrotreating reactions. This proposal describes the research studies that will be carried out for the development of a process for the preparation of an active hydiotreating catalyst from spent catalysts. This will contribute to minimizing the environmental problem in the country and will reduce the cost of catalysts through reutilization of spent catalysts