Incorporation of boron in hydroprocessing catalysts, catalysts obtained and use thereof

A method of producing an inorganic oxide catalyst support, the method comprising:

• (a) combining a porous inorganic oxide in particulate form with a composition comprising an aqueous solution, dispersion, or suspension comprising:
• (1) a boron-containing source;
• and
• (2) an organic compound selected from the group consisting of compounds comprising at least two oxygen atoms and 2-10 carbon atoms;
• and
• (b) extruding the combination in (a) to form an extrudate;
• (c) calcining or drying and calcining the extrudate to a dryness level measured by Loss on Ignition (LOI) of greater than 0 wt % to about 5 wt %;
• wherein:
• (i) the boron-containing source is present in an amount to provide a boron content in the range of about 1 wt % to about 13 wt %, expressed as boron oxide, B2O3 and based on the total weight of the support;
• and
• (ii) Loss on Ignition is measured by subjecting a weighed sample to an oxygen-containing atmosphere for 1 hour at 1020 of (548.9° C.) and measuring the loss in weight.

A supported hydroprocessing catalyst comprising:

• a porous inorganic oxide catalyst carrier or catalyst support;
• at least one Group VIB metal component in the form of an oxide;
• at least one Group VIIIB metal component in the form of an oxide;
• a boron-containing component in the form of an oxide, expressed as B2O3;
• and
• optionally a phosphorus component in the form of an oxide, expressed as P2O5;
• and
• wherein:
• (a) the content of boron oxide is in the range of 1 to 13 wt %, based on the total weight of the catalyst;
• (b) the content of the phosphorus component, when present, is at least 0.5 wt %, based on the total weight of the catalyst, and
• wherein:
• (1) the Group VIB and Group VIIIB metal components and phosphorus component, when present and boron component are supported on and/or in a support or carrier comprising alumina or silica in the form of a pill having an internal cross-section and an outer surface;
• and
• (2) a position across the internal cross-section of the pill is identified by a percentage of the distance following a centerline from a first edge of the pill cross-section, designated as the starting point or 0% to the furthest edge of the pill cross-section, designated as 100%, along the centerline;
• and
• wherein:
• (I) the concentration of the Group VIB metal oxide in the first 33⅓% or the last 33⅓% of the pill cross-section exceeds the concentration of the Group VIB metal oxide in the central 33⅓% of the pill cross-section by from about 20% to about 100%;
• and
• (II) the concentration of the Group VIB and Group VIIIB metal oxide components and phosphorus oxide component when present, across the cross section to the outer surface of the pill is determined using electron probe microanalysis.