Patent ID: 8148292

Claim:
A method for preparing a cobalt-containing catalyst, the method comprising: a. impregnating a catalyst support with an aqueous solution of cobalt nitrate; b. drying the cobalt-impregnated support; then subjecting the dried cobalt-impregnated support to a two step decomposition process comprising: c. heating the dried support in an oxygen-containing atmosphere that is substantially free of water and is free of added NO, said heating being at a temperature and for a time sufficient to show infrared peaks developing at 1820 cm −1 to 1877 cm −1 and at a temperature at which only a first endotherm of nitrate decomposition occurs and for a time sufficient for the dried support to pass through only the first endotherm of the nitrate decomposition thereby providing an intermediate material; and d. calcining the intermediate material to form cobalt oxide; and then, reducing the calcined catalyst to obtain a cobalt-containing catalyst.