Process for preparing a catalyst or a trapping mass from molten salts

A process preparing a catalyst or a trapping mass, said catalyst or trapping mass consisting of a cobalt active phase and a porous silica-alumina support, said process consisting of:

• a) contacting said porous silica-alumina support with at least one solid metal salt cobalt metal, of which the melting point of said metal salt is between 20° C. and 150° C., for a period of between 5 minutes and 5 hours in order to form a solid mixture, the weight ratio of said metal salt to said porous silica-alumina support being between 0.1 and 1;
• b) heating the solid mixture obtained at the end of a) with stirring at a temperature of from the melting point of said metal salt to 200° C. and with a residence time of 5 minutes to 12 hours, whereby the metal salt is melted;
• c) optionally, drying the solid obtained at the end of b) at a temperature below 200° C.;
• and
• d) calcining the solid obtained at the end of b) or c) at a temperature above 200° C. and below or equal to 1100° C. under an inert atmosphere or under an oxygen-containing atmosphere.