Abstract: This invention relates to a process for conducting an equilibrium limited chemical reaction in a single stage process channel. A process for conducting a water shift reaction is disclosed. A multichannel reactor with cross flow heat exchange is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for recovering light Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbons from a rich tail gas produced from a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis operation which comprises: (a) recovering separately from a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis operation a Fischer-Tropsch condensate and a hydrocarbon rich Fischer-Tropsch tail gas; (b) cooling the Fischer-Tropsch condensate and Fischer-Tropsch tail gas; (c) using the cooled Fischer-Tropsch condensate as a lean oil to adsorb at least a portion of the light Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbons present in the Fischer-Tropsch tail gas, whereby a rich oil mixture comprising Fischer-Tropsch condensate and light Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbons is formed; and (d) collecting the rich oil mixture.

Abstract: An integrated Fischer-Tropsch process provides methods for recovering reaction water from a Fischer-Tropsch reactor with minimal adverse environmental effects and with reduced costs compared to traditional methods. Reaction water, preferably separated from an overhead stream from a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, is vaporized and contaminants are thermally oxidized while in the vapor state. The thermal oxidation also produces flue gases, which flue gases may be condensed to recover water.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the solids content in a Fischer-Tropsch product to allow subsequent changes in the Fischer-Tropsch process to prevent downstream problems. The method comprises irradiating the Fischer-Tropsch product with light and measuring the light transmitted through the Fischer-Tropsch product to determine the solids content in the Fisher-Tropsch product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of antioxidants in Fischer Tropsch derived products. The antioxidants of the present invention are preferably temporary antioxidants that may be removed after the period in which oxidation is expected by techniques such as simple distillation. The temporary antioxidants of the present invention are typically sulfur-containing compounds generated from sweetening light hydrocarbon streams.

Abstract: A process for the production of oxygenated C2 hydrocarbons from cellulose is disclosed. The input cellulose waste is gasified using steam in the absence of air and the primary gaseous products of carbon monoxide and hydrogen are subjected to heat, pressure, and catalysts to form methyl alcohol. Carbon monoxide is added to the methyl alcohol and further subjected to heat, pressure and catalysts to form acetic acid. The acetic acid is purified using a distillation tower, and removed for sale. Output production is increased by adding further carbon monoxide and hydrogen from burners used to heat the gasifiers. Further carbon monoxide and hydrogen are also produced by steam gasification of the carbon residue to promote a water/gas shift. These gases are fed into the gas stream produced by the gasification of cellulose, and provide more feedstock for the reactions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for water removal and optionally liquid product separation in slurry reactors operating at Fischer-Tropsch conditions. More particularly, the present invention includes a water stripping system that allows the reaction water to the stripped in an external vessel, with a relatively high rate of catalyst and wax circulation. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for removing water from a slurry reactor containing a water-rich slurry includes removing a portion of water-rich slurry from the slurry reactor, stripping water from the water-rich slurry using a dry gas to form a water-reduced slurry and a water-rich gas stream, and returning the water-reduced slurry back to the reactor.

Abstract: A slurry Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis process for synthesizing liquid hydrocarbons from synthesis gas in a synthesis reactor also hydroisomerizes the synthesized hydrocarbon liquid, which comprises the slurry liquid, in one or more lift reactors immersed in the slurry body in the synthesis reactor. A monolithic catalyst is preferably used for the hydroisomerization, and slurry circulation up through the lift reactors from the surrounding slurry body, is achieved at least in part by the lift action of the hydroisomerization treat gas. Preferably, catalyst particles are also removed before the slurry contacts the catalyst. Hydroisomerization occurs while the synthesis reactor is producing hydrocarbons, without interfering with the synthesis reaction. A gas bubble reducing downcomer may be used to produce and feed the gas bubble reduced slurry into the lift reactor, thereby providing a hydraulic head assist in the slurry circulation up through and out of the lift reactor.

Abstract: Catalyst particles are separated from the wax in a reactor slurry reactor by feeding a portion of the slurry to a dynamic settler. Heavier catalyst particles settle and are removed as the slurry at the bottom of the settler is recycled back to the reactor. Clarified wax is removed at the top of the settler. A multi-channel baffle prevents turbulence, improving retention of the desired heavier catalyst particles.

Abstract: Methods for removing sulfur from syngas in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, and reactors including means for removing sulfur from syngas are disclosed. Sulfur-reactive metals can be used in the Fischer-Tropsch unit to sequester the sulfur. For example, the Fischer-Tropsch unit can be run in stages, using a sacrificial catalyst in a first stage to adsorb the sulfur. The Fischer-Tropsch reactor can include internal baffles that separate the reactor into zones, with a sacrificial catalyst in one or more of the zones, that can be easily sequestered and regenerated or replaced. Sulfur adsorbents can be placed in the inlet gas manifold. A portion of the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst can be converted into larger size pellets that do not fluidize with the finer grain Fischer-Tropsch catalyst and remain near the gas inlet where they adsorb and sequester the sulfur. These embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner to lower the sulfur concentration in the syngas feed.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of minimizing catalyst degradation during the handling of a catalyst used in a slurry phase reactor. The methods include catalyst handling steps such as catalyst loading into a slurry phase reactor, slurry phase reactor start-up, slurry phase reactor shut-down, and slurry phase reactor unloading when catalyst reloading is envisaged. In the method of loading the slurry phase reactor, a slurry of wax and catalyst is formed in a loading vessel. Clean molten wax is formed in the reactor, syngas is pumped through the clean molten wax in the reactor, and the slurry from the loading vessel is transferred to the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a blended syngas feed with a variable H2/CO ratio for use in a syngas conversion reactor. In this process a H2/CO ratio of from approximately 1.0 to 3.0 for the blended syngas feed is selected. A first syngas is formed with a H2/CO ratio of at least 2.0 by reacting methane with an oxygen source. A second syngas is formed with a H2/CO ratio of no more than 1.5 by reacting LPG with CO2. The first syngas and the second syngas are blended to form a blended syngas feed with the selected H2/CO ratio, and this blended syngas feed may be used in the syngas conversion reactor.

Abstract: A slurry Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis process for synthesizing liquid hydrocarbons from synthesis gas in a synthesis reactor also hydroisomerizes the synthesized hydrocarbons in one or more external lift reactor hydroisomerizing loops outside of the reactor, but which are a part of the reactor. A monolithic catalyst is used for the hydroisomerization and slurry circulation between the synthesis reactor and one or more loops is achieved, at least in part, by the lift action of a hydrogen treat gas injected into each loop.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of synthesis gas into higher hydrocarbon products in a system comprising a high shear mixing zone and a post mixing zone wherein the process comprises: a) passing a suspension of catalyst in a liquid medium through the high shear mixing zone where the suspension is mixed with synthesis gas; b) discharging a mixture of synthesis gas and suspension from the high shear mixing zone into the post mixing zone; c) converting at least a portion of the synthesis gas to higher hydrocarbons in the post mixing zone to form a product suspension comprising catalyst suspended in the liquid medium and the higher hydrocarbons; d) separating a gaseous stream comprising uncoverted synthesis gas from the product suspension; e) recycling the separated gaseous stream to the high shear mixing zone; and f) recycling at least a portion of the product suspension to the high shear mixing zone.

Abstract: Unreacted syngas containing CO2 from a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor, a methanol synthesis reactor or a dual functional syngas conversion is scrubbed with an aqueous medium to adsorb at least some of the CO2. At least a portion of the unreacted CO2-depleted syngas is then recycled to the reactor. The aqueous medium containing absorbed CO2 is treated to desorb CO2. A CO2-enriched stream and a CO2-depleted stream are recovered. A portion of the CO2-enriched stream may be recycled to a syngas generator while another portion is dissolved in an aqueous phase and disposed in a marine environment and/or a terrestrial formation. The CO2-depleted stream preferably is used in the scrubber to absorb CO2 from the unreacted syngas. The process reduces the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere while improving the over-all efficiency of the syngas conversion process.

Abstract: A process for the production of liquid hydrocarbon products by passing, at elevated temperature and pressure, synthesis gas and a fluidising liquid through a fluidised catalytic bed within a reaction zone, characterised in that the fluidised catalytic bed is an aggregative fluidised catalytic bed comprising a particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst having a density of greater than 4,000 kg/m3.

Abstract: Reactors and processes are disclosed that can utilize high heat fluxes to obtain fast, steady-state reaction rates. Porous catalysts used in conjunction with microchannel reactors to obtain high rates of heat transfer are also disclosed. Reactors and processes that utilize short contact times, high heat flux and low pressure drop are described. Improved methods of steam reforming are also provided.

Abstract: A method for water removal in hydrocarbon product reactors operating at Fischer-Tropsch conditions. The water removal decreases the concentration of water in the reactor. In one embodiment, a method of reducing the concentration of water in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor containing a water-rich hydrocarbon product includes removing water from the water-rich hydrocarbon product of the reactor by a water removal means so as to form a water-reduced hydrocarbon product and returning that product to the reactor.

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 ½ H and H and between ½ R and R, where H is the height of the expanded slurry bed and R is the radius of the reactor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods for hydroprocessing Fischer-Tropsch products. The embodiments in particular are related to integrated methods for producing liquid fuels from a hydrocarbon stream provided by a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process. The methods involves separating the Fischer-Tropsch products into a light fraction and a heavy fraction. The light fraction is pre-conditioned to remove contaminants such as CO2 prior to being subjected to hydroprocessing, either separately, or after having been being recombined with the heavy fraction. Any of the hydroprocessing steps may be accomplished in a single reactor.

Abstract: A gas-agitated multiphase reactor system for the synthesis of hydrocarbons gives high catalyst productivity and reactor capacity. The system includes operating a multi-phase reactor in the well-mixed gas flow regime, with a Peclet number less than 0.175 and a single pass conversion ranging from 35% to 75%, wherein the inlet superficial gas velocity decreases with the decreasing of the reactor aspect ratio, and is preferably at least 20 cm/sec.

Abstract: A catalytic reactor (10) comprises a plurality of fluid-impermeable elements (tubes or plates) (12) defining flow channels (15) between them. Tight fitting within each flow channel (15) is a sheet (16) of corrugated material whose surfaces are coated with catalytic material. At each end of the reactor (10) are headers (18) to supply gas mixtures to the flow channels (15), the headers communicating with adjacent channels being separate. The reactor (10) enables different gas mixtures to be supplied to adjacent channels (15), which may be at different pressures, and the corresponding chemical reactions are also different. Where one of the reactions is endothermic while the other reaction is exothermic, heat is transferred through the wall of the tube (12) separating the adjacent channels (15), from the exothermic reaction to the endothermic reaction.

Abstract: A slurry Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis process for synthesizing liquid hydrocarbons from synthesis gas, in a hydrocarbon synthesis reactor, also hydroisomerizes the synthesized hydrocarbons in one or more external downcomer reactor hydroisomerizing loops outside of the reactor, but which are a part of the synthesis reactor. A monolithic catalyst is used for the hydroisomerization, and slurry circulation between the synthesis reactor and the one or more hydroisomerization loops is achieved, at least in part, by density-difference driven hydraulics created by removing gas bubbles from the slurry passed into the loop. Preferably, catalyst particles are also removed before the slurry contacts the monolithic hydroisomerization catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for converting a synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbons used in at least two reactors that are arranged in series and that contain a catalytic suspension of at least one solid catalyst in suspension in a liquid phase, in which said reactors are essentially perfectly mixed, the last reactor is at least in part fed by at least a portion of at least one of the gaseous fractions that are collected at the outlet of at least one of the other reactors, at least one reactor is fed by a flow of catalytic suspension that is obtained directly from another reactor, and at least one flow of catalytic suspension that is obtained from a reactor is at least in part separated so as to obtain a liquid product that is essentially free of catalyst and a catalytic suspension that is high in catalyst, which is recycled.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing dimethyl ether comprising: a slurry-bed reactor filled with a dimethyl ether synthesis catalyst and a medium oil therefor; a condenser for condensing a gasified medium oil discharged from the reactor; an adsorber for removing a catalyst-deactivation ingredient from the medium oil condensed in the condenser; and recycle means for recycling the medium oil to the slurry-bed reactor.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of minimizing catalyst degradation during the handling of a catalyst used in a slurry phase reactor. The methods include catalyst handling steps such as catalyst loading into a slurry phase reactor, slurry phase reactor start-up, slurry phase reactor shut-down, and slurry phase reactor unloading when catalyst reloading is envisaged. In the method of loading the slurry phase reactor, a slurry of wax and catalyst is formed in a loading vessel. Clean molten wax is formed in the reactor, syngas is pumped through the clean molten wax in the reactor, and the slurry from the loading vessel is transferred to the reactor.

Abstract: A slurry Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis process for synthesizing liquid hydrocarbons from synthesis gas in a synthesis reactor also hydroisomerizes the synthesized hydrocarbon liquid, which comprises the slurry liquid, in one or more lift reactors immersed in the slurry body in the synthesis reactor. A monolithic catalyst is preferably used for the hydroisomerization, and slurry circulation up through the lift reactors from the surrounding slurry body, is achieved at least in part by the lift action of the hydroisomerization treat gas. Preferably, catalyst particles are also removed before the slurry contacts the catalyst. Hydroisomerization occurs while the synthesis reactor is producing hydrocarbons, without interfering with the synthesis reaction. A gas bubble reducing downcomer may be used to produce and feed the gas bubble reduced slurry into the lift reactor, thereby providing a hydraulic head assist in the slurry circulation up through and out of the lift reactor.

Abstract: A method for removing CO2 from a gas stream, including methane and CO2. The method includes contacting a gas stream with an aqueous stream, so that at least a portion of the CO2 in the gas stream is dissolved into the aqueous stream, thereby creating a CO2-depleted gas stream, having an enriched methane concentration, and a CO2-enriched aqueous stream. The CO2-enriched aqueous stream is separated from the gas stream. Finally, the CO2-enriched aqueous stream is disposed of in at least one of a marine environment, a terrestrial formation or combination thereof.

Abstract: A process for removing CO2 from a CO2-containing gas. The process includes scrubbing CO2 from a CO2-containing gas using an aqueous phase liquid forming a CO2-enriched aqueous phase. The CO2-enriched aqueous phase is then disposed of in at least one of a marine environment, a terrestrial formation or combination thereof.

Abstract: A gas-agitated multiphase reactor system that is effective for enabling maximum reactor productivity or minimizing reactor volume comprising at least two stages with or without recycle, wherein inlet gas superficial velocity is at least 20 cm/sec at Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, yielding a total syngas conversion of greater than about 90%, while syngas conversion in each reactor is less than 60%. More specifically, the total reactor volume is held to a minimum such that minimum reactor volume is less than 0.02 cubic meters total reactor volume/(kg C5+/hr production).

Abstract: A gas distribution grid for a slurry reactor includes a plurality of gas injectors horizontally arrayed across, and extending through, an otherwise gas and liquid impervious plate. The injectors have a throat open at both ends, with a gas pressure reducing bore at one end which is the entrance end and with the other end opening into an upward opening cone. Flow diverting means in the injectors prevents slurry solids from entering the throat and being attrited by the high velocity gas jet exiting the bore into the throat. It is preferred that the gas injectors not protrude above the top surface of the grid and flat space is eliminated by means such as angular fillers, to prevent solids accumulation top of the grid. A chamfer may be present at the junction of the bore and throat to prevent unrestricted expansion of the gas jet entering the throat. This is useful for injecting gas into a reactive hydrocarbon synthesis slurry in a slurry reactor, with reduced catalyst attrition and deactivation.

Abstract: Installation for chemical conversion of a feedstock by Fischer-Tropsch reaction comprising a reactor that contains a slurry constituted by at least one suspension of at least one solid in a liquid, a gas feed, a circuit, external to the reactor, of continuous circulation of a stream of slurry, whereby said slurry is drawn off at at least one point (A) and reintroduced at least in part at at least one other point (B), a section for separation of at least one slurry fluid that passes through said external circuit, whereby said installation also comprises: means allowing to shut down the circulation of said slurry in said circuit, means for introducing under pressure at least one fluid for purging the slurry that is contained in the circuit, and means allowing the circulation of the slurry in said external circuit under conditions such that the Reynolds number is greater than 2,500.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of at least two organic products from a synthesis gas by (i) converting a first synthesis gas feed to a first organic product and a first by-product; (ii) converting a second synthesis gas feed to a second organic product and a second by-product; (iii) separating the first and/or second by-product from, respectively, the first and/or second organic product, and (iv) mixing the separated first and/or second by-product with, respectively, the second and/or first organic product. Preferably, the first organic product is paraffinic hydrocarbons or oxygenates and the second organic product is olefinic hydrocarbons or oxygenates.

Abstract: Fine iron-based catalyst particles from. Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis processes are effectively separated from catalyst/liquid/wax slurry by contacting and/or mixing the slurry with a coalescence enhancing treating solution to facilitate gravity separation and settling of such catalyst, and thereby yield a substantially clean hydrocarbon liquid/wax product. The treating solution includes a surface tension reducing agent, an agglutinating agent, and a coalescing agent each in selected proportions in aqueous solution. Useful mixing and settling conditions are 10-250° C. temperature, 0-500 psig pressure and treating solution to slurry volume ratio of 0.5-5:1, with the settling time for at least about 90% and preferably substantially all of the catalyst fines after the mixing step being less than about 15 minutes. The treating solution can be desirably recovered and reused in the F-T synthesis process, and the recovered catalyst either recycled or disposed as desired.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of synthesis gas into higher hydrocarbon products in a system comprising a high shear mixing zone and a post mixing zone wherein the process comprises: a) passing a suspension of catalyst in a liquid medium through the high shear mixing zone where the suspension is mixed with synthesis gas; b) discharging a mixture of synthesis gas and suspension from the high shear mixing zone into the post mixing zone; c) converting at least a portion of the synthesis gas to higher hydrocarbons in the post mixing zone to form a product suspension comprising catalyst suspended in the liquid medium and the higher hydrocarbons, d) separating a gaseous stream comprising uncoverted synthesis gas from the product suspension; e) recycling the separated gaseous stream to the high shear mixing zone; and f) recycling at least a portion of the product suspension to the high shear mixing zone.

Abstract: A process for producing liquid and, optionally, gaseous products from gaseous reactants feeds (18), at a low level, gaseous reactants into a slurry bed of solid catalyst particles (14) suspended in a suspension liquid. The gaseous reactants are allowed to react as they pass upwardly through the slurry bed (14), hereby to form liquid and, optionally, gaseous products. The reaction is catalyzed by the catalyst particles. Liquid product is separated from the catalyst particles by passing, in a filtration zone (22) within the slurry bed, liquid product through a filtering medium having a plurality of openings through which the liquid passes. The openings have a controlling dimension of x microns. The proportion of catalyst particles, which have a particle size smaller than x microns, in the slurry bed is less than 18% by volume based on the total volume of the catalyst in the slurry bed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for synthesizing hydrocarbons from synthesis gas is disclosed. The process useful for initial start-up of a Fischer-Tropsch reactor system in a slurry bubble column reactor. Synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide is reacted to form hydrocarbons. A liquid slurry comprising a start-up composition may include polyalpha olefins, astor wax, waxes, and paraffins. The reaction employs a low superficial vapor velocity, a medium to high catalyst concentration, and relatively mild reactor temperatures as compared to conventional Fischer-Tropsch processes.

Abstract: A process for treating nitrogen-containing, substantially paraffinic product derived from a Fischer-Tropsch process. The substantially paraffinic product is purified in a purification process to lower the concentration of oxygen, nitrogen, and other impurities. The nitrogen content of the purified product is monitored, and the conditions of the purification step are adjusted to increase nitrogen removal if the nitrogen content of the purified product exceeds a preselected value.

Abstract: Facilities to convert natural gas into syncrude often are located at remote sites. At these sites and in their surrounding communities there exists demand for salable products: gasoline, distillate fuels, solvents, lubricants, etc. While it would be possible to produce these products from syncrude, the construction of such production facilities would be very expensive, and their operation would be difficult at the remote site. Fischer-Tropsch syncrude will be waxy and will also contain volatile components, complicating the shipping of both Fischer-Tropsch products from remote production sites to developed sites and salable products from developed sites to remote sites. This invention describes a safe process to both transport Fischer-Tropsch syncrude from the remote site to the developed site and supply salable products from the developed site to the remote site.

Abstract: A hydrotreated liquid contains volatile hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and contaminants such as hydrogen sulfide. An inert gas, preferably nitrogen, is used to strip volatiles from the hydrotreated liquid. This stripper gas is then added to fuel gas fed to a combustion turbine, where combustibles in the fuel gas and stripper gas are combusted. The stripping is at a pressure sufficient to allow the stripper gas, now containing hydrocarbons and hydrogen, to be added to the combustion turbine fuel without additional compression. This process allows for efficient use of the stripped combustibles, and the nitrogen added to the fuel gas provides increased power generation from the combustion turbine and reduces NOx emissions.

Abstract: A flotation agent including an oxidized paraffinic product which may be a Fischer-Tropach reaction product obtained by way of the Fischer-Tropsch reaction from carbon monoxide and hydrogen feed. A process for the production of a synthetic fatty acid suitable as a substitute for naturally derived fatty acid in various applications is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing liquid and, optionally, gaseous products from gaseous reactants feeds (18), at a low level, gaseous reactants into a slurry bed of solid catalyst particles (14) suspended in a suspension liquid. The gaseous reactants are allowed to react as they pass upwardly through the slurry bed (14), hereby to form liquid and, optionally, gaseous products. The reaction is catalyzed by the catalyst particles. Liquid product is separated from the catalyst particles by passing, in a filtration zone (22) within the slurry bed, liquid product through a filtering medium having a plurality of openings through which the liquid passes. The openings have a controlling dimension of x microns. The proportion of catalyst particles, which have a particle size smaller than x microns, in the slurry bed is less than 18% by volume based on the total volume of the catalyst in the slurry bed.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a production process for methanol in which a distillation system is reduced in a size by removing efficiently heat generated in a methanol synthesis reaction and inhibiting by-products from being formed. The present invention provides a production process for methanol comprising a synthetic gas production step in which hydrocarbon is reacted with steam to generate synthetic gas comprising main components of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, a methanol synthesis step in which the synthetic gas described above is reacted on a methanol synthesis catalyst and resulting crude methanol is recovered in the form of liquid and a distillation step in which recovered crude methanol described above is distilled to be separated into waste water containing low boiling organic compounds and high boiling organic compounds and refined methanol, wherein a reactor having a specific structure is used in the methanol synthesis step described above.

Abstract: The invention relates to injection of fluids (gas, liquid, suspension or other mixtures) in a controlled typically uniform way within a vessel containing another fluid or fluidized medium. Said injection device consists of pipes or channels that are connected in a hierarchical fashion so that the fluid entering a first channel is divided into channels of the same or different diameter and length, each or some of which are further divided into channels of the same or different diameter and length, and so on. The injection system can also consist of combinations of such tree-like or fractal-like elements, embedded in the plane or in space. The embodiment depends upon the nature of the fluids and the application. The invention can be used for gas/solid fluidized bed and a gas/liquid and other processes. A typical application is the reduction and uniformization or otherwise control of bubble sizes to optimize the operation of fluidized bed, slurry and gas/liquid reactors.

Abstract: The invention is a process for producing a mixture of Fischer-Tropsch product that is solid at ambient conditions (between 32° F. and 95° F.), such as wax, and hydrocarbon liquid, such as naphtha, that can be pumped at ambient temperature (between 32° F. and 95° F.). The temperature of the mixture is controlled below the melting point of the Fischer-Tropsch product. The present invention provides for the transport of Fischer-Tropsch product from a remote location in a readily available medium, such as naphtha, via pipeline, tanker or railcar. At the completion of the transport, the hydrocarbon liquid and Fischer-Tropsch product are separated by conventional methods such as flashing, distillation, or filtration with minimal contamination from the hydrocarbon liquid.

Abstract: A process for producing liquid and gaseous products from gaseous reactants. The process includes a) feeding a synthesis gas stream of mainly carbon monoxide and hydrogen, as gaseous reactants, into a slurry bed of solid Fischer-Tropsch catalyst particles suspended in a suspension liquid, with the slurry bed being provided in a reaction zone, b) allowing the gaseous reactants to react, by means of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, as they pass upwardly through the slurry bed; c) withdrawing liquid phase from the slurry bed, to maintain the slurry bed at a desired level; d) allowing gaseous products and unreacted gaseous reactants to disengage from the slurry bed and to pass upwardly as a gas phase into a freeboard zone of a head space above the reaction zone; e) subjecting the gas phase to distillation; f) returning separated catalyst particles and liquid phase from the distillation zone and g) withdrawing treated gas phase from the head space.

Abstract: This invention relates to the process of preparing from carbon dioxide a mixture of dimethyl ether and methanol which are useful as clean fuel or raw materials in the chemical industry. More particularly, this invention relates to the process of preparing dimethyl ether and methanol in high yield without by-products such as hydrocarbons by means of chemical conversion of carbon dioxide, which is a major pollutant of the global environment, in the presence of a mixture of catalysts comprising Cu/ZnO-based catalyst and Y-type zeolite catalyst having a strong acidity with the pKa value of −6.0-−3.0.

Abstract: The retrofitting of an existing methanol or methanol/ammonia plant to make acetic acid is disclosed. The existing plant has a reformer to which natural gas or another hydrocarbon and steam (water) are fed. Syngas is formed in the reformer. All or part of the syngas is processed to separate out carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and the separated carbon dioxide is fed either to the existing methanol synthesis loop for methanol synthesis, or back into the feed to the reformer to enhance carbon monoxide formation in the syngas. Any remaining syngas not fed to the carbon dioxide separator can be converted to methanol in the existing methanol synthesis loop along with carbon dioxide from the separator and/or imported carbon dioxide, and hydrogen from the separator. The separated carbon monoxide is then reacted with the methanol to produce acetic acid or an acetic acid precursor by a conventional process.

Abstract: A flotation agent including an oxidized paraffinic product which may be a Fischer-Tropach reaction product obtained by way of the Fischer-Tropsch reaction from carbon monoxide and hydrogen feed. A process for the production of a synthetic fatty acid suitable as a substitute for naturally derived fatty acid in various applications is also disclosed.

Abstract: Carburization and metal-dusting while hydrodealkylating a hydrodealkylatable hydrocarbon are reduced even in the substantial absence of added sulfur.