Abstract: A blend useful as a diesel fuel, as well as a method for its production, comprising a high quality Fischer-Tropsch derived distillate boiling in the range of a diesel fuel blended with a cracked stock boiling in the range of a diesel fuel wherein the final blend contains 10-35 wt. % aromatics and 1-20 wt. % polyaromatics and produces low regulated emissions levels.

Abstract: A wide cut Fischer-Tropsch derived diesel fuel is produced wherein the distillate boils in a wider range than a conventional diesel fuel while providing favorable low temperature properties and environmentally beneficial effects. In particular, the fuel comprises a hydrocarbon distillate derived from the Fischer-Tropsch process having T90 greater than 640° F. (338° C.) but less than 1000° F. (538° C.) and a cold filter plugging point less than or equal to +5° C.

Abstract: A laser beam reflected by wax crystals is used in determining the wax crystallization temperature of a hot dewaxing solvent upstream of solvent chillers. This is automatically achieved by an on-line method from a remote control point, in which a slipstream of solvent is passed through an attached solvent loop into a sample chamber in the loop, without being exposed to ambient conditions. As the sample is cooled, the beam reflections are detected and indicate the wax to crystallization temperature. Corrective measures can then be taken to prevent fouling of the chillers, if need be.

Abstract: Clean distillate useful as a diesel fuel or diesel blending stock is produced from Fischer-Tropsch wax by separating wax into heavier and lighter fractions; further separating the lighter fraction and hydroisomerizing the heavier fraction and that portion of the light fraction below about 500° F. The isomerized product is blended with the untreated portion of the lighter fraction.

Abstract: A process for enhancing metal catalysts for carbon monoxide hydrogenation comprising reducing the catalyst so that at least a portion is in the metallic state, impregnating under a non-oxidative atmosphere with a solution of a salt of at least one metal, optionally in combination with at least one of an ammonium salt, an alkyl ammonium salt, a weak organic acid and ammonia, oxidizing with a gaseous oxidant in the presence of the impregnating solution, and reducing to form an active catalyst. Used catalysts enhanced by the process are initially treated to decrease their hydrocarbon content. The treatment may be carried out in a single reactor, or by carrying out up to all steps after catalyst may be withdrawn from a reactor and returned to at least one reactor, both preferably during operations. Up to all steps may be effected in a subsequent reactor, or in specialized apparatus.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalyst useful for conducting carbon monoxide hydrogenation reactions, particularly Fischer-Tropsch reactions; the catalyst compositions, use of the catalyst compositions for conducting such reactions, and the products of these reactions. The steps of the process for producing the catalyst comprise impregnating a powder, or particulate refractory inorganic oxide solids, preferably silica, with a) a soluble compound or salt of a catalytic metal of the Iron Group, preferably cobalt, and b) a soluble compound, or salt, of a Group VIII noble metal, preferably platinum, suitably by sequential contact of the solids with a solution of (a) and a solution of (b), by sequential contact of the solids with a solution of (b) and a solution of (a), or by contact with a solution which contains both (a) and (b).

Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch derived distillate fraction is blended with either a raw virgin condensate fraction or a mildly hydrotreated virgin condensate to obtain a stable inhibited distillate fuel.

Abstract: There is provided a process for renewing the activity of used, supported metal catalysts for the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide to form a mixture of hydrocarbons comprising decreasing the hydrocarbon content of the catalyst, impregnating said catalyst under an non-oxidative atmosphere with a solution at least one weak organic acid, preferably a mono- or di-carboxylic acid, to the point where it has absorbed a volume of said solution equal to at least about 10% of its calculated pore volume, oxidizing the catalyst with a gaseous oxidant in the presence of the impregnating solution and activating the catalyst by reduction with hydrogen at elevated temperatures. Optionally, the catalyst is calcined after the oxidation step, and passivated after the activation step. A preferred means of decreasing the hydrocarbon content of the catalyst is contacting it with a hydrogen-containing gas at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: There is provided a process for hydrocarbon synthesis wherein a supported metal catalyst for hydrogenating carbon monoxide to form a mixture of hydrocarbons is regenerated by decreasing its hydrocarbon content, impregnating under a non-oxidative atmosphere with a solution of at least one member selected from the group consisting of ammonium salts, alkyl ammonium salts and weak organic acids, optionally including ammonia, oxidizing with a gaseous oxidant in the presence of the impregnating solution, activating the catalyst by reduction with hydrogen at elevated temperatures and reusing the catalyst. The treatment may be carried out in a single reactor, or by carrying out up to all steps after catalyst has been withdrawn therefrom and returned to at least one reactor. Up to all steps subsequent to decreasing the hydrocarbon content may be effected in a subsequent reactor, or in specialized apparatus.

Abstract: A process for activating a supported metal catalyst or catalyst precursor useful for the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide to form a mixture of hydrocarbons, comprising reducing with a hydrogen-containing gas at elevated temperature so that at least a portion is in the metallic state, impregnating under a non-oxidizing atmosphere with a solution of at least one member selected from the group consisting of ammonium salts, alkyl ammonium salts and weak organic acids, optionally further including ammonia, to the point where it has absorbed a volume of solution equal to at least about 10% of its calculated pore volume, oxidizing with a gaseous oxidant in the presence of the impregnating solution and reducing with hydrogen-containing gas at elevated temperatures to form an active catalyst. The steps beginning with the impregnation may be repeated. Optionally, the catalyst may be calcined after the oxidation step and/or passivated after activation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for enhancing the activity of a particulate Dispersed Active Metal (DAM) catalyst during operation of a reactor wherein the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide to produce a mixture of hydrocarbons is being carried out comprising withdrawing a mixture of hydrocarbons and a portion of the DAM catalyst from the reactor, reducing the hydrocarbon content thereof with hydrogen at a temperature above the temperature of the reactor, oxidizing a slurry of the catalyst particles in a suitable fluid at low temperature to form an oxidized precursor, reducing the precursor at elevated temperature to reform the catalyst and returning it to the reactor. The catalyst may be passivated before returning to the reactor.

Abstract: A process of enhancing both the activity and the methane selectivity of a particulate Dispersed Active Metal (“DAM”) hydrogenation catalyst is disclosed wherein the DAM undergoes low temperature oxidation in a slurry phase to form a stable, unique oxidized catalyst precursor that is subsequently reduced to form an enhanced catalyst by treatment with hydrogen-containing gas at elevated temperature, wherein one or more promoter metal oxides of chromium, lanthanum and manganese are added to the DAM. Precursors of the promoter metal oxides may be combined with the DAMs prior to or during formation of the initial slurry, during the oxidation step or between recovery of the oxidized catalyst precursor and treatment of it with hydrogen-containing gas to reactivate the catalyst. Conversion of the precursors to the promoter metal oxides is carried out prior to the treatment with hydrogen-containing gas unless said treatment itself produces the conversion.

Abstract: A high VI and low pour point lubricant base stock is made by hydroisomerizing a high purity, waxy, paraffinic Fischer-Tropsch synthesized hydrocarbon fraction having an initial boiling point in the range of 650-750° F., followed by catalytically dewaxing the hydroisomerate using a dewaxing catalyst comprising a catalytic platinum component and an H-mordenite component. The hydrocarbon fraction is preferably synthesized by a slurry Fischer-Tropsch using a catalyst containing a catalytic cobalt component. This combination of the process, high purity, waxy paraffinic feed and the Pt/H-mordenite dewaxing catalyst, produce a relatively high yield of premium lubricant base stock.

Abstract: A process of enhancing both the activity and the methane selectivity of a Dispersed Active Metal (“DAM”) hydrogenation catalyst is disclosed wherein the DAM undergoes low temperature oxidation in a slurry phase to form an oxidized catalyst precursor that is unique in comparison to those formed by conventional high temperature deactivation processes. The oxidized catalyst precursor, which is stable, is subsequently reduced to form an enhanced catalyst by treatment with hydrogen-containing gas at elevated temperature. The process is useful in a wide variety of DAMs formed by art-recognized techniques. The process is equally applicable to the enhanced catalysts formed from the oxidized precursors and their use in hydrogenation reactions.

Abstract: A removable filter for separating and filtering slurry liquid from solid particles includes one or more filter sections connected by a filtrate conduit. Each section comprises a plurality of vertical, hollow, sintered metal filter elements horizontally arranged across a manifold connected to a hollow filtrate conduit. The sections are vertically stacked and connected by the conduit(s) to form the filter which is removably secured in the slurry by means which permit it to be removed vertically up and out of the top of the reactor. This filter has a high surface area to volume ratio and is useful for removing the liquid hydrocarbon products from a slurry hydrocarbon synthesis reactor and can easily be replaced without having to drain out the slurry.

Abstract: A wide-cut lubricant base stock is made by hydroisomerizing and then catalytically dewaxing a waxy Fischer-Tropsch synthesized hydrocarbon fraction feed and comprises the entire dewaxate having an initial boiling point in the 650-75O° F.+ range. Formulated lubricating oils made by admixing the base stock with a commercial automotive additive package meet all specifications, including low temperature properties, for multigrade internal combustion engine crankcase oils. The waxy feed has an initial boiling point in the 650-750° F. range and continuously boils to an end point of at least 1050° F.+. Lower boiling hydrocarbons produced by the process are separated from the base stock by simple flash distillation. The base stock comprises the entire dewaxate having an initial boiling point in the 650-750° F. range.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalyst useful for conducting carbon monoxide conversion reactions, especially a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, use of the catalyst for conducting such reactions, especially Fischer-Tropsch reactions, and the composition produced by said process. In the preparation of the catalyst, a solution of a polyol is employed to impregnate and disperse a compound or salt of a catalytic metal, or metals, e.g., copper or an Iron Group metal such as iron, cobalt, or nickel, or in a preferred embodiment both a compound or salt of rhenium and a compound or salt of a catalytic metal, or metals, e.g., copper or an Iron Group metal such as iron, cobalt, or nickel onto a refractory inorganic oxide support, e.g., titania. The rhenium, when present only in small amount permits full and complete reduction of the catalytic metal, or metals, dispersed by the polyol.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalyst useful for conducting carbon monoxide hydrogenation reactions, especially Fischer-Tropsch reactions. The steps of the process begin with the activation, or reactivation, of a deactivated catalyst, or with the preparation and activation of a fresh catalyst. In accordance with the latter, the steps of the process comprise, first contacting, in one or more steps, a powder or preformed, particulate refractory inorganic support with a liquid, or solution in which there is dispersed or dissolved a compound, or salt of a catalytically active metal, or metals, to impregnate and deposit the metal, or metals, upon the support, or powder. The metal, or metals, impregnated support is calcined following each impregnation step to form oxides of the deposited metal, or metals.

Abstract: A cobalt- or ruthenium-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst, subjected to short term, reversible, partial deactivation in a slurry synthesis process can be rejuvenated, i.e., at least about 80+% catalyst activity recovery, by treating the catalyst in the presence of liquid hydrocarbons, preferably the slurry hydrocarbons, with hydrogen at elevated temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: Catalyst in a slurry phase reactor is rejuvenated and uniformly distributed in said reactor using a substantially vertical draft tube fully immersed in the slurry which utilizes a rejuvenating gas injected substantially near the bottom of the substantially vertical draft tube whereby catalyst near the bottom of the slurry phase reactor is drawn up the draft tube and discharged from the top of the draft tube near the top of the slurry phase in said reactor.