Demetallization of hydrocarbon feed streams with nickel arsenide

Abstract

Metals contained in a hydrocarbon containing feed stream are at least partially removed by contacting the hydrocarbon containing feed stream under suitable demetallization conditions with hydrogen and a catalyst composition comprising an alumina-containing support and nickel arsenide, NiAs.sub.x. The life and activity of the catalyst composition can be increased by introducing a decomposable compound of a metal selected from the group consisting of the metals of Group IV-B, Group V-B, Group VI-B, Group VII-B and Group VIII of the Periodic Table into the hydrocarbon containing feed stream during or prior to contacting the feed stream with hydrogen and the catalyst composition. The preferred nickel arsenide catalyst composition is prepared by reduction of alumina-supported nickel arsenate with hydrogen gas.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.