Abstract: A process for co-producing synthesis gas and power includes producing a synthesis gas comprising at least CO and H2 by reacting a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock with oxygen, the synthesis gas being at a first temperature, separating air from a compressed air stream by means of at least one ion transport membrane unit thereby producing a permeate stream consisting predominantly of oxygen and a reject stream of oxygen-depleted air at a second temperature which is lower than the first temperature, indirectly heating the reject stream of oxygen-depleted air with the synthesis gas and at least partially expanding, the heated reject stream of oxygen-depleted air through at least one turbine to generate power, producing an at least partially expanded reject stream of oxygen-depleted air, and feeding at least a portion of the permeate stream consisting predominantly of oxygen to the synthesis gas generation stage to provide oxygen for production of synthesis gas.

Abstract: A closure component for solids-handling equipment includes a closure body configured to close a solids flow path by displacement of the closure body along a stroke axis and a removable metallic sealing element attached to the closure body. The metallic sealing element is configured sealingly to engage an endless metallic seat spaced radially outwardly from the stroke axis when the closure body closes the solids flow path. The closure body includes or defines at least one locating formation to engage and locate the metallic sealing element.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrocarbons and, optionally, oxygenates of hydrocarbons is provided. A synthesis gas comprises hydrogen, carbon monoxide and N-containing contaminants selected from the group consisting of HCN, NH3, NO, RXNH3-X, R1—CN and heterocyclic compounds containing at least one nitrogen atom as a ring member of a heterocyclic ring of the heterocyclic compound. The N-containing contaminants constitute, in total, at least 100 vppb but less than 1 000 000 vppb of the synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is contacted at an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure, with a particulate supported Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst. The catalyst comprises a catalyst support, Co in catalytically active form supported on the catalyst support, and a dopant selected from the group consisting of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), ruthenium (Ru) and/or rhenium (Re). The dopant level is expressed by a formula. Hydrocarbons and, optionally, oxygenates of hydrocarbons are obtained.

Abstract: A method of preparing a modified catalyst support comprises contacting a catalyst support material with a modifying component precursor in an impregnating liquid medium. The impregnating liquid medium comprises a mixture of water and an organic liquid solvent for the modifying component precursor. The mixture contains less than 17% by volume water based on the total volume of the impregnating liquid medium. The modifying component precursor comprises a compound of a modifying component selected from the group consisting of Si, Zr, Co, Ti, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ba, Ni, Al, Fe, V, Hf, Th, Ce, Ta, W, La and mixtures of two or more thereof. A modifying component containing catalyst support material is thus obtained. Optionally, the modifying component containing catalyst support material is calcined at a temperature above 100° C. to obtain a modified catalyst support.

Abstract: A solids handling equipment rotary plough (200) includes an elongate metal body (201) with a leading face (210) and a trailing face (212). The body (201) is configured to be mounted to a rotary component for rotation about an axis of rotation at least in one direction which is an operative forward direction such that the leading face (210) leads the trailing face (212). At least the leading face (210) has at least two major operatively upwardly and outwardly extending surfaces (202.1, 204.1) which are not coplanar. A first major surface (202.1) is angled operatively rearwardly and upwardly relative to the forward direction of rotation at an angle of at least 1° to the vertical. A second major surface (204.1) is angled operatively forwardly and outwardly at an angle of at least 1° relative to a radius of a circle described in use by the rotary plough (200) when rotating in the operative forward direction.

Abstract: A method of operating a slurry phase apparatus includes feeding one or more gaseous reactants into a slurry body of solid particulate material suspended in a suspension liquid contained inside a vessel. The one or more gaseous reactants are fed into the slurry body through a gas distributor having downward facing gas outlets and are fed towards a fluid impermeable partition spanning across the vessel below the gas distributor. The partition divides the vessel into a slurry volume above the partition and a bottom volume below the partition. A differential pressure is maintained over the partition between predefined limits by manipulating or allowing changes in the pressure in the bottom volume by employing a pressure transfer passage establishing flow or pressure communication between the bottom volume and a head space above the slurry body.

Abstract: A coal processing operation (10) includes in a dense media separation stage (12), subjecting a coal feedstock (18) which includes minerals to dense media separation producing a first coal stream (20) and a second coal stream (22). Coal in the first coal stream (20) is lower in ash and has a lower ash fusion temperature than coal in the second coal stream (22). Coal from the first coal stream (20) is processed in a high temperature coal processing operation (44), and coal from the second coal stream (22) is processed in a medium temperature coal processing operation (16).

Abstract: A method of operating a process for catalytically converting one or more reactants to one or more products using a fluid bed reactor containing a catalyst which deactivates over time includes, during a catalyst campaign, in a step A, gradually increasing an operating temperature of the reactor to counteract the negative effect of catalyst deactivation on a conversion rate of the one or more reactants. The operating temperature is not allowed to exceed a selected maximum operating temperature. Thereafter, in a step B, catalyst is added which has the tendency to increase the conversion rate of the one or more reactants into the reactor, and the operating temperature of the reactor is reduced to counteract to at least some extent the effect of the added catalyst on the conversion rate of the one or more reactants. The operating temperature remains above a selected minimum operating temperature during step B. Steps A and B are repeated until the end of the catalyst campaign or until the end of a production run.

Abstract: A process for preparing a catalyst precursor includes, in a first preparation step, impregnating a particulate catalyst support with an organic metal compound in a carrier liquid. The metal of the organic metal compound is an active catalyst component. An impregnated intermediate is formed, and is calcined to obtain a calcined intermediate. Thereafter, in a second preparation step, the calcined intermediate from the first preparation step is impregnated with an inorganic metal salt in a carrier liquid. The metal of the inorganic metal salt is an active catalyst component. An impregnated support is obtained, and is calcined, to obtain the catalyst precursor. The metal is in particular cobalt. The precursor is reduced, in particular with hydrogen, to obtain the active catalyst. Also claimed is a process for the hydrogenation of CO, as well as a process for the hydrogenation of an organic compound using the so-prepared catalyst.

Abstract: A grate assembly (10) for a gasifier for gasifying carbonaceous material producing ash includes an upper rotatable grate component (11) and a lower rotatable support structure (12) fastened to the upper rotatable grate component (11) by a plurality of removable fasteners (15) acting to prevent vertical displacement of the upper rotatable grate component (11) and the lower rotatable support structure (12). The lower rotatable support structure (12) is configured to be drivingly rotated about a common vertical axis of rotation (21) shared with the upper rotatable grate component (11). The assembly (1) further includes at least two key torque transmitters (16) spaced angularly relative to the common axis of rotation (21) and engaging the upper rotatable grate component (11) and the lower rotatable support structure (12) to transfer torque from the lower rotatable support structure (12) to the upper rotatable grate component (11) when the lower rotatable support structure (12) is driven.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a spent cobalt Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst includes subjecting a spent particulate cobalt Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst sequentially to a dewaxing treatment, an oxidation treatment at a pressure of 4 to 30 bar(a) and a reduction treatment, thereby regenerating the catalyst.

Abstract: A seat component (17) for solids-handling equipment includes a metal seat body (32) defining an endless hardened metal seat surface (40) for a closure component (16) to seat against with metal-to-metal contact and with a solids flow path extending through the seat body (32). The seat body (32) includes an endless recess (50) spaced radially outwardly from the hardened metal seat surface (40), which has a mouth (52) and an interior (54) communicating with the mouth (52) and extending away from the mouth (52) into the seat body (32). The interior (54) of the recess (50) has at least one region (56) which is wider than the mouth (52) or which is wider than a narrower region of the recess (50) between the wider region (56) and the mouth (52). The wider region (56) is defined by at least one step-wise change in the width of the recess (50).

Abstract: A process for handling an active catalyst includes introducing a mixture of active catalyst particles and a molten organic substance, which is at a temperature Ti, and which sets at a lower temperature T2 so that T2<T1, into a mould. The mould is submerged in a cooling liquid, so as to cool the organic substance down to a temperature T3, where T3?T2. In this fashion, a casting comprising an organic substance matrix in which the active catalyst particles are dispersed, is obtained.

Abstract: A closure component for solids-handling equipment includes a closure body configured to close a solids flow path by displacement of the closure body along a stroke axis and a removable metallic sealing element attached to the closure body. The metallic sealing element is configured sealingly to engage an endless metallic seat spaced radially outwardly from the stroke axis when the closure body closes the solids flow path. The closure body includes or defines at least one locating formation to engage and locate the metallic sealing element.

Abstract: A process for producing at least one product from at least one gaseous reactant includes feeding the gaseous reactant, as a gaseous feed or as part of a gaseous feed which is at an inlet superficial gas velocity of at least 0.5 m/s, into a vessel holding an expanded slurry bed of solid catalyst particles suspended in a suspension liquid so that the gaseous reactant can bubble upwardly through the slurry bed. The slurry bed has a catalyst loading of at least 20% by volume of degassed slurry. The gaseous reactant s allowed to react catalytically at a pressure above atmospheric pressure as the gaseous reactant bubbles upwardly through the slurry bed to produce at least one product. The product and any unreacted gaseous reactant are withdrawn from the vessel.

Abstract: A process for handling an active catalyst includes introducing a mixture of active catalyst particles and a molten organic substance, which is at a temperature T1, and which sets at a lower temperature T2 so that T2<T1, into a mould. The mould is submerged in a cooling liquid, so as to cool the organic substance down to a temperature T3, where T3?T2. In this fashion, a casting comprising an organic substance matrix in which the active catalyst particles are dispersed, is obtained.

Abstract: A process for producing at least one product from at least one gaseous reactant includes feeding the gaseous reactant, as a gaseous feed or as part of a gaseous feed which is ax an inlet superficial gas velocity of at least 0.5 m/s, into a vessel holding an expanded slurry bed of solid catalyst particles suspended in a suspension liquid so that the gaseous reactant can bubble upwardly through die slurry bed. The slurry bed has a catalyst loading of less than 14% by volume of degassed slurry. The gaseous reactant is allowed to react catalytically at a pressure above atmospheric pressure as the gaseous reactant bubbles upwardly through the slurry bed to produce at least one product. The product and any unreacted gaseous reactant are withdrawn from the vessel.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst precursor includes calcining a loaded catalyst support comprising a catalyst support supporting a cobalt compound. The calcination includes heating the loaded catalyst support over a heating temperature range of 90° C. to 220° C. using (i) one or more high heating rate periods during the heating over the heating temperature range wherein heating of the loaded catalyst support takes place at a heating rate of at least 10° C./minute, and wherein a gas velocity of at least 5 m3n/kg cobalt compound/hour is effected over the loaded catalyst support, and (ii) one or more low heating rate periods during the heating over the heating temperature range wherein heating of the loaded catalyst support takes place at a heating rate of less than 6° C./minute. The cobalt compound is thereby calcined, with a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst precursor being produced.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a spent particulate wax-containing cobalt-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst is provided. The process includes subjecting the spent wax-containing catalyst sequentially to a dewaxing treatment, an oxidation treatment and a reduction treatment. During the dewaxing treatment, the spent wax-containing catalyst is at least partially dewaxed, with dewaxed catalyst particles being produced. During the oxidation treatment, an oxygen-containing gas is passed through a bed of the dewaxed catalyst particles at an operating temperature T° C. where 150<T<450, and the operating temperature is controlled by removing heat from the catalyst particle bed using a cooling device, to obtain oxidized catalyst particles. During the reduction treatment, the oxidized catalyst particles are reduced, thereby regenerating the catalyst.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst precursor includes calcining a loaded catalyst support comprising a catalyst support supporting a cobalt compound. The calcination includes subjecting the loaded catalyst support to heat treatment by heating the loaded catalyst support to a temperature, T, of at least 220° C. at a heating rate below 10° C./minute, and effecting gas flow at a space velocity of at least 9 m3n/kg cobalt compound/hour over the loaded catalyst support during at least part of the heating. The cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst precursor is thereby produced.