Method for the hydrogenation of aromatics using a nickel-based catalyst

A process comprising hydrogenation of at least one aromatic or polyaromatic compound contained in a hydrocarbon feedstock having a final boiling point below or equal to 650° C., said process being carried out in gas phase or in liquid phase, at a temperature of 30 to 350° C., at a pressure of 0.1 to 20 MPa, at a hydrogen/(aromatic compounds to be hydrogenated) molar ratio of 0.1 to 10 and at an hourly space velocity HSV of 0.05 to 50 h−1, in the presence of a catalyst comprising an alumina support and an active phase comprising nickel, said active phase not comprising a metal from Group VIB, said process comprising:

• a) first preparing said catalyst by at least:
• i) bringing said alumina support into contact with at least one solution containing at least one nickel precursor,
• ii) bringing said alumina support into contact with at least one solution containing at least one organic compound comprising at least one carboxylic acid functional group;
• whereby after i) and ii) an impregnated support is produced,
• iii) drying said impregnated support at a temperature below 180° C.;
• i) and ii) being carried out separately, in any order, or at the same time, with the proviso that the catalyst is not calcined under a calcination temperature range of 250° C.-1000° C., thereby producing an uncalcined catalyst, and
• b) hydrogenating the at least one aromatic or polyaromatic compound contained in the hydrocarbon feedstock with the uncalcined catalyst.