Abstract:
This invention relates to a method for the preparation of a hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst, preferably, a Fischer Tropsch synthesis catalyst. The invention also extends to the use of a catalyst prepared by the method according to the invention in a hydrocarbon synthesis process, preferably, a Fischer Tropsch synthesis process. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for the preparation of a hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst, the method including the steps of: (a) providing a melt including a mixture of at least one metal iron oxide and a catalyst promoter selected from the group consisting of at least one of a source of an alkali metal and a source of an alkali earth metal; (b) subjecting the melt to a fluid stream so as to thereby disperse the melt into droplets including the metal iron oxide and the catalyst promoter; and (c) quenching the droplets of the melt so as to form the hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst in the form of solid particles including the metal oxide and the catalyst promoter.
Abstract:
A process for hydrogenating long chain hydrocarbons includes continuously feeding a feedstock having long chain hydrocarbons into a slurry bed including a slurry of catalyst particles in a slurrying liquid. The slurry bed is contained in a reaction zone and the feedstock enters the reaction zone at a low level. A hydrogenation component is fed continuously into the slurry bed, at a low level. The hydrogenation component is allowed to react with the feedstock, to hydrogenate the feedstock, as the feedstock and hydrogenation component pass upwardly through the bed. Hydrogenated long chain hydrocarbons are withdrawn from the reaction zone at a high level, as a hydrogenation product. Any excess hydrogenation component is withdrawn from the reaction zone at a high level.