Catalysts with modified active phase dispersion and method to prepare catalysts with modified active phase dispersion

1. Calcined catalyst particles consisting of a post-framework modified ultra-stable Y-type (USY) zeolite in which a portion of aluminum atoms constituting a zeolite framework thereof is substituted with zirconium atoms and/or titanium atoms and/or hafnium atoms, wherein the post-framework modified USY zeolite is characterized by outer surfaces and pores which define inner surfaces, and wherein said outer surfaces and/or pore inner surfaces are metal-loaded with one or more hydrogenative active metal components prior to forming the calcined catalyst particles; and

inorganic oxide binder material, to form a composite;

wherein said composite is formed into extrudates and thermally treated to form the calcined catalyst particles.

2. Calcined catalyst particles as in claim 1 , wherein said framework modified zeolite substituted with 0.1-5 mass % zirconium atoms and 0.1-5 mass % titanium ions calculated on an oxide basis.

3. Calcined catalyst particles as in claim 1 , wherein said framework-modified USY zeolite has the following characteristics: (a) a crystal lattice constant of 2.430 to 2.450 nm, (b) a specific surface area of 600 to 900 m 2 /g, and (c) a molar ratio of SiO 2 to Al 2 O 3 of 12 to 100;

wherein the calcined catalyst particles have a specific surface area of 200 to 450 m 2 /g and a volume of pores having a diameter of 600 Å or less of 0.40 to 0.75 ml/g; and

wherein the one or more hydrogenative active metal components are 0.01 to 40 mass % relative to the total mass of the calcined catalyst particles.

4. Calcined catalyst particles as in claim 1 , wherein said hydrogenative active metal component is selected from the group of metals consisting of platinum, palladium and rhenium, and wherein said hydrogenative active metal component is present in an amount from 0.01-2 wt % in terms of the mass of the hydrogenative active metal component based on the mass of the catalyst particles; or

said hydrogenative active metal component is selected from the group of metals consisting of Mo, W, Co, Ni and combinations thereof, and wherein said hydrogenative active metal component is present in an amount from 0.1-40 wt % in terms of the mass of the hydrogenative active metal component based on the mass of the catalyst particles.

5. A method for making calcined catalyst particles as defined in claim 1 , the method comprising:

providing post-framework modified ultra-stable Y-type (USY) zeolite in which a portion of aluminum atoms constituting a zeolite framework thereof is substituted with zirconium atoms and/or titanium atoms and/or hafnium atoms, wherein the post-framework modified USY zeolite is characterized by outer surfaces and pores which define inner surfaces;

impregnating one or more hydrogenative active metal components on outer surfaces and/or on pore inner surfaces of the post-framework modified USY zeolite to form metal-loaded post-framework modified USY zeolite;

mixing and kneading the metal-loaded post-framework modified USY zeolite with an inorganic oxide binder material to form a composite of metal-loaded post-framework modified USY zeolite and inorganic oxide binder;

forming the catalyst particles from the composite of metal-loaded post-framework modified USY zeolite and inorganic oxide binder into extrudates;

thermally treating the extrudates; and

recovering the calcined catalyst particles.

6. The method as in claim 5 , wherein the pores of said post-framework modified USY zeolite define a volume, wherein impregnating one or more active metal components uses a metal in a liquid solution, and wherein the volume of said liquid solution is up to the pore volume of said post-framework modified USY zeolite.

7. The method as in claim 5 , wherein said post-framework modified USY zeolite is provided in wet, dried or calcined state.

8. The method as in claim 5 , wherein said post-framework modified USY zeolite contains from 0.1 to 5 mass % zirconium and/or titanium and/or hafnium as calculated as the oxide basis.

9. The method as in claim 5 , wherein said inorganic oxide material is selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica, titania, silica-alumina, alumina-titania, alumina-zirconia, alumina-boria, phosphorus-alumina, silica-alumina-boria, phosphorus-alumina-boria, phosphorus-alumina-silica, silica-alumina-titania, and silica-alumina-zirconia.

10. The method as in claim 5 , wherein said metal-loaded post-framework modified USY zeolite comprises about 0.1-99 wt % of the active metal-containing composite catalyst particles, wherein a remaining mass comprises the inorganic oxide component.

11. The method as in claim 5 , wherein said hydrogenative active metal component is selected from the group of metals consisting of platinum, palladium and rhenium, and wherein said hydrogenative active metal component is present in an amount from 0.01-2 wt % in terms of the mass of the hydrogenative active metal component based on the mass of the catalyst particles.

12. The method as in claim 5 , wherein said hydrogenative active metal component is selected from the group of metals consisting of Mo, W, Co, Ni and combinations thereof, and wherein said hydrogenative active metal component is present in an amount from 0.1-40 wt % in terms of the mass of the hydrogenative active metal component based on the mass of the catalyst particles.