Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a supported catalyst, which method comprises the steps of; (i) providing a porous catalyst support comprising a framework having an internal pore structure comprising one or more pores which internal pore structure comprises a precipitant; (ii) contacting the catalyst support with a solution or colloidal suspension comprising a catalytically active metal such that, on contact with the precipitant, particles comprising the catalytically active metal are precipitated within the internal pore structure of the framework of the catalyst support. The invention also relates to supported catalysts made according to the above method, and to use of the catalysts in catalyzing chemical reactions, for example in the Fischer Tropsch synthesis of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the conversion of hydrogen and one or more oxides of carbon to hydrocarbons, which process comprises: contacting hydrogen and one or more oxides of carbon with a catalyst in a reaction zone; removing from the reaction zone an outlet stream comprising unreacted hydrogen, unreacted one or more oxides of carbon and one or more hydrocarbons and feeding the outlet stream to a separation zone in which the outlet stream is divided into at least three fractions, in which; a first fraction predominantly comprises unreacted hydrogen, unreacted one or more oxides of carbon and hydrocarbons having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; a second fraction predominantly comprises hydrocarbons having 5 to 9 carbon atoms, at least a portion of which hydrocarbons having from 5 to 9 carbon atoms are olefinic; and a third fraction predominantly comprises hydrocarbons having 10 or more carbon atoms; characterized in that at least a portion of the second fraction is recycled to the reaction zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the conversion of hydrogen and one or more oxides of carbon to hydrocarbons, which process comprises: contacting hydrogen and one or more oxides of carbon with a catalyst in a reaction zone; removing from the reaction zone an outlet stream comprising unreacted hydrogen, unreacted one or more oxides of carbon and one or more hydrocarbons and feeding the outlet stream to a separation zone in which the outlet stream is divided into at least three fractions, in which; a first fraction predominantly comprises unreacted hydrogen, unreacted one or more oxides of carbon and hydrocarbons having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; a second fraction predominantly comprises hydrocarbons having 5 to 9 carbon atoms, at least a portion of which hydrocarbons having from 5 to 9 carbon atoms are olefinic; and a third fraction predominantly comprises hydrocarbons having 10 or more carbon atoms; characterised in that at least a portion of the second fraction is recycled to the reaction zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a synthetic hydrocarbon fuel composition, and a process for making such a fuel composition, in which the fuel composition has the following properties: a) a boiling point distribution having (i) a 10% recovery of 205° C. or less and (ii) an end point of 300° C. or less; b) a freezing point of ?47° C. or less; and c) a density at 15° C. of at least 775 kg/m3. A process for producing the fuel composition comprises the oligomerisation of olefins over an oligomerisation catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the conversion of hydrogen and one or more oxides of carbon to hydrocarbons, which process comprises: contacting hydrogen and one or more oxides of carbon with a catalyst in a reaction zone; removing from the reaction zone an outlet stream comprising unreacted hydrogen, unreacted one or more oxides of carbon and one or more hydrocarbons and feeding the outlet stream to a separation zone in which the outlet stream is divided into at least three fractions, in which; a first fraction predominantly comprises unreacted hydrogen, unreacted one or more oxides of carbon and hydrocarbons having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; a second fraction predominantly comprises hydrocarbons having 5 to 9 carbon atoms, at least a portion of which hydrocarbons having from 5 to 9 carbon atoms are olefinic; and a third fraction predominantly comprises hydrocarbons having 10 or more carbon atoms; characterised in that at least a portion of the second fraction is recycled to the reaction zone.