Abstract: A method for starting a slurry bubble column reactor that includes a reactor vessel holding a settled or slumped bed of particles and a liquid phase from which the particles have settled includes introducing a flow of a re-suspension liquid into the settled or slumped bed to loosen the settled or slumped bed. The introduction of the re-suspension liquid takes place before the introduction of any gas into the settled or slumped bed, or together with feeding of gas into the settled or slumped bed, provided that, if gas is fed together with the re-suspension liquid into the settled or slumped bed before the settled or slumped bed has been loosened, the gas has a superficial gas velocity in the reactor below 10 cm/s. Once the settled or slumped bed has been loosened by at least the re-suspension liquid, gas is passed at a superficial gas velocity above 10 cm/s through the liquid phase.

Abstract: A method for starting a slurry bubble column reactor that includes a reactor vessel holding a settled or slumped bed of particles and a liquid phase from which the particles have settled includes introducing a flow of a re-suspension liquid into the settled or slumped bed to loosen the settled or slumped bed. The introduction of the re-suspension liquid takes place before the introduction of any gas into the settled or slumped bed, or together with feeding of gas into the settled or slumped bed, provided that, if gas is fed together with the re-suspension liquid into the settled or slumped bed before the settled or slumped bed has been loosened, the gas has a superficial gas velocity in the reactor below 10 cm/s. Once the settled or slumped bed has been loosened by at least the re-suspension liquid, gas is passed at a superficial gas velocity above 10 cm/s through the liquid phase.

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 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.