Selective nickel based hydrogenation catalyst and the preparation thereof

A method for preparing a selective nickel-based hydrogenation catalyst, the method comprising:

• adding silica or its precursor and alkaline earth metal oxide or its precursor into an alumina carrier so as to form a first mixture;
• calcinating the first mixture at the temperature of 800-1100° C. for 3-6 hours to form a modified alumina carrier;
• adding soluble salts of nickel, rare earth element and VIB group element into water so as to form a solution;
• adjusting the pH of the solution to 4-5 following full dissolution of the soluble salts to form an impregnating solution;
• impregnating the modified alumina carrier with the impregnating solution to form a second mixture;
• after impregnating, drying the second mixture at the temperature of 40-120° C.;
• and
• after drying, calcinating the second mixture at the temperature of 350-450° C. for 3-6 hours, thereby obtaining the resultant catalyst,
• wherein the resultant catalyst comprise alumina as a carrier, wherein based on the total weight of the catalyst, the catalyst comprises:
• 14-20% nickel oxide as an active component;
• 1-8% lanthanum oxide and/or cerium oxide;
• 1-8% VIB group element oxide as aids;
• 2-8% silica;
• and
• 1-8% alkaline earth metal oxide;
• wherein said catalyst has a specific surface area of 60-150 m2/g and a pore volume of 0.4-0.6 ml/g.