Abstract: A highly active Fischer-Tropsch catalyst having increased thermal stability. The catalyst comprises a &ggr;-alumina support doped with an amount of lanthana oxide, barium oxide, or a combination thereof effective for increasing the thermal stability of the catalyst in a slurry bubble column reaction system while maintaining or increasing the activity of the catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

Abstract: A method for reducing catalyst attrition losses in hydrocarbon synthesis processes conducted in high agitation reaction systems; a method of producing an attrition-resistant catalyst; a catalyst produced by such method; a method of producing an attrition-resistant catalyst support; and a catalyst support produced by such method. The inventive method of reducing catalyst attrition losses comprises the step of reacting a synthesis gas in a high agitation reaction system in the presence of a catalyst. In one aspect, the catalyst preferably comprises a &ggr;-alumina support including an amount of titanium effective for increasing the attrition resistance of the catalyst. In another aspect, the catalyst preferably comprises a &ggr;-alumina support which has been treated, after calcination, with an acidic, aqueous solution. The acidic aqueous solution preferably has a pH of not more than about 5.

Abstract: A method for reducing catalyst attrition losses in hydrocarbon synthesis processes conducted in high agitation reaction systems; a method of producing an attrition-resistant catalyst; a catalyst produced by such method; a method of producing an attrition-resistant catalyst support; and a catalyst support produced by such method. The inventive method of reducing catalyst attrition losses comprises the step of reacting a synthesis gas in a high agitation reaction system in the presence of a catalyst. In one aspect, the catalyst preferably comprises a &ggr;-alumina support including an amount of titanium effective for increasing the attrition resistance of the catalyst. In another aspect, the catalyst preferably comprises a &ggr;-alumina support which has been treated, after calcination, with an acidic, aqueous solution. The acidic aqueous solution preferably has a pH of not more than about 5.

Abstract: A method of conducting hydrocarbon synthesis and a highly stable cobalt on alumina catalyst therefor. The inventive method comprises the step of reacting a synthesis gas in a slurry bubble column reactor in the presence of the catalyst. The catalyst comprises a &ggr;-alumina support doped with an amount of lanthana oxide, barium oxide, or a combination thereof effective for increasing the thermal stability of the catalyst in the slurry bubble column reacting system while maintaining or increasing the activity of the catalyst.

Abstract: Cobalt catalysts, and processes employing these inventive catalysts, for hydrocarbon synthesis. The inventive catalyst comprises cobalt on an alumina support and is not promoted with any noble or near noble metals. In one aspect of the invention, the alumina support preferably includes a dopant in an amount effective for increasing the activity of the inventive catalyst. The dopant is preferably a titanium dopant. In another aspect of the invention, the cobalt catalyst is preferably reduced in the presence of hydrogen at a water vapor partial pressure effective to increase the activity of the cobalt catalyst for hydrocarbon synthesis. The water vapor partial pressure is preferably in the range of from 0 to about 0.1 atmospheres.

Abstract: Cobalt catalysts, and processes employing these inventive catalysts, for hydrocarbon synthesis. The inventive catalyst comprises cobalt on an alumina support and is not promoted with any noble or near noble metals. In one aspect of the invention, the alumina support preferably includes a dopant in an amount effective for increasing the activity of the inventive catalyst. The dopant is preferably a titanium dopant. In another aspect of the invention, the cobalt catalyst is preferably reduced in the presence of hydrogen at a water vapor partial pressure effective to increase the activity of the cobalt catalyst for hydrocarbon synthesis. The water vapor partial pressure is preferably in the range of from 0 to about 0.1 atmospheres.

Abstract: Processes and catalysts for conducting Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a slurry bubble column reactor (SBCR). One aspect of the invention involves the use of cobalt catalysts without noble metal promotion in an SBCR. Another aspect involves using palladium promoted cobalt catalysts in an SBCR. Methods for preparing noble metal promoted catalysts via totally aqueous impregnation and procedures for producing attrition resistant catalysts are also provided.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a free flowing granular product from moisture laden caked coal fines, such as wet cake, by mixing a water immiscible substance, such as oil, with the caked coal, preferably under low shear forces for a period of time sufficient to produce a plurality of free flowing granules. Each granule is preferably comprised of a dry appearing admixture of one or more coal particle, 2-50% by weight water and the water immiscible substance.

Abstract: A shaft-type valve means for an internal combustion engine of the type having a block in which there is a cylinder and a piston reciprocal in the cylinder wherein the chamber is covered by a head and an improved valve is in the form of a shaft journaled in the head with a portion of the shaft spanning a portion of the cylinder above the piston and the shaft has a diametrical passageway of a cross sectional area which, in the direction of the centerline of the shaft, is at least as great as the radius of the cylinder and circumferentially is a distance substantially equal to one-sixteenth of the circumference of the shaft and wherein seal means are provided between the shaft and the engine and a crank shaft connected to the piston is connected to the shaft to rotate it simultaneously with the crank shaft by a force transmission means such as a belt or the like.