Abstract:
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for optimizing the degree of backmixing within a gas agitated multiphase reactor at a given gas linear velocity. The embodiments of the present invention involve novel configurations of the multiphase reactor internal structures. In general, the configurations comprise creating a dense area of internal structures in the central region and/or wall regions of the multiphase reactor.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a process for managing hydrogen in a hydrocarbon gas to liquid plant. The process includes passing a syngas feed stream produced by a partial oxidation reactor to a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, thereby converting the syngas to hydrocarbon liquids. The hydrogen management process further includes passing a second hydrogen rich stream produced by an auxiliary source to a hydrogen user such as an FT water stripper, an FT catalyst regeneration unit, and an FT product upgrading unit. The auxiliary source could be a process for converting hydrocarbons to syngas, a process for converting hydrocarbons to olefins, a process for converting hydrocarbons to aromatics, a process for catalytically dehydrogenating hydrocarbons, a process for catalytically cracking hydrocarbons, a process for refining petroleum, and a process for converting hydrocarbons to carbon filaments.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to thermally stable, high surface area alumina supports and a method of preparing such supports with at least one modifying agent. The method includes adding an aluminum modifying agent to the alumina prior to calcining. The inventive support has thermal stability at temperatures above 800null C. A more specific embodiment of the invention is a catalyst having a high surface area, thermally stable alumina support with at least one group VIII metal or rhenium and an optional promoter loaded onto the support. The present invention further relates to gas-to-liquids conversion processes, more specifically for producing C5null hydrocarbons.
Abstract:
This invention relates to methods for making a stabilized transition alumina of enhanced hydrothermal stability, which include the introduction of at least one structural stabilizer; a steaming step before or after the introduction step, wherein steaming is effective in transforming a transition alumina at least partially to boehmite and/or pseudoboehmite; and a calcining step to create a stabilized transition alumina. The combination of the structural stabilizer and the steaming step is believed to impart high hydrothermal stability to the alumina crystal lattice. Particularly preferred structural stabilizers include boron, cobalt, and zirconium. The stabilized transition alumina is useful as a catalyst support for high water partial pressure environments, and is particularly useful for making a catalyst having improved hydrothermal stability. The invention more specifically discloses Fischer-Tropsch catalysts and processes for the production of hydrocarbons from synthesis gas.
Abstract:
Methods are disclosed for preparing hydrothermally-stable structurally-promoted refractory-oxide catalyst supports, which includes mixing precursors of the refractory oxide and of at least one structural promoter and calcining the mixture. The methods feature the incorporation of at least one structural promoter into the lattice of a refractory-oxide material such as alumina. The hydrothermally-stable structurally-promoted refractory-oxide catalyst supports are useful in hydrothermal catalytic processes such as Fischer-Tropsch reactions.
Abstract:
Methods for producing clean liquid/wax products from a slurry used in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor are disclosed. In general, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a solid/liquid filtration system having a filter medium comprising a substrate and a filter cake deposited on the substrate, wherein the filter cake is generated by deposition of solids from the slurry. The thickness of the filter cake can be maintained within a desired range by controlling the slurry velocity and/or the pressure differential across the filter medium. This invention relates to a method of operation of such filtration system which increases filtration cycle time and improved filtrate quality resulting in very low solid content in filtrate.
Abstract:
The invention relates to methods for improving the octane number of a synthetic naphtha stream and optionally for producing olefins and/or solvents. In one embodiment, the method comprises aromatizing at least a portion of a synthetic naphtha stream to produce an aromatized hydrocarbon stream; and isomerizing at least a portion of the aromatized hydrocarbon stream to produce an isomerized aromatized hydrocarbon stream having a higher octane rating than the synthetic naphtha stream. Alternatively, the method comprises providing at least three synthetic naphtha cuts comprising a C4-C5 stream; a C6-C8 stream and a C9-C11 stream; aromatizing some of the C6-C8 stream to form an aromatized hydrocarbon stream with a higher octane number; steam cracking some of the C6-C8 stream and optionally the C9-C11 stream to form olefins; and selling some portions of C9-C11 stream as solvents. In preferred embodiments, the synthetic naphtha is derived from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing the maximum water concentration in multi-phase reactors operating at Fischer-Tropsch conditions. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method of reducing the maximum concentration of water in a multi-phase reactor containing an expanded slurry bed and a water-rich slurry region for Fisher-Tropsch synthesis includes changing the flow structure of a predetermined region in the reactor. The flow structure may be changed by introducing a mixing enhancing fluid into the predetermined region, installing baffles into the predetermined region, or by other methods known in the art. Preferably the predetermined region is located between null H and H and between null R and R, where H is the height of the expanded slurry bed and R is the radius of the reactor.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to thermally stable, high surface area alumina supports and method of preparing such supports with at least one modifying agent. The method includes adding the modifying agent to the alumina prior to calcining. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of such catalysts for the catalytic partial oxidation of light hydrocarbons (e.g., methane or natural gas) to produce primarily synthesis gas. The present invention further relates to gas-to-liquids conversion processes, more specifically for producing C5null hydrocarbons.