Abstract: A process (10) to produce Fischer-Tropsch products includes feeding feed synthesis gas (30) with a substantially constant target feed synthesis gas H2/CO ratio to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis stage (16). A portion of the feed synthesis gas (30) is converted to Fischer-Tropsch products in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis stage (16). The Fischer-Tropsch products (20) from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis stage (16) are withdrawn. A Fischer-Tropsch synthesis stage tail gas (26) which includes unconverted H2 and CO is obtained. The operating conditions of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis stage (16) are manipulated to achieve a substantially constant target tail gas H2/CO ratio, with the target tail gas H2/CO ratio being substantially different from the target feed synthesis gas H2/CO ratio.

Abstract: A method of cleaning an internal component (14) of a process vessel (10) includes opening a guide (42) extending at least from a vessel access port or entry nozzle (38) to the internal component (14), guiding a cleaning agent/device by means of the guide (42) to the internal component (14), cleaning the internal component (14) with the cleaning agent/device, and closing the guide (42). The process vessel (10) is then operated with the guide (42) remaining in the process vessel (10).

Abstract: This invention relates to the oligomerization of olefinic compounds in the presence of an activated oligomerization catalyst. The invention also extends to a particular manner for providing an activated oligomerization catalyst.

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 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: The invention provides a blend of FT derived diesel, crude derived diesel, and CFPP improving additive, wherein the FT diesel is from 1 vol % to 50 vol % of the blend, said blend having a CFPP of below ?18° C. The invention extends to use of FT diesel as a blend component for a compression ignition fuel blend, said blend including the FT diesel, a crude derived diesel fuel and a CFPP improver additive, wherein the FT diesel is from 1 vol % to 50 vol % of the blend, which blend has a CFPP of below ?20° C.

Abstract: A process for producing jet fuel comprising the following steps: A.1) separating at least a portion of the C9 to C15 fraction from the product of a hydrocarbon synthesis process; A.2) converting at least a part of the separated C9 to C15 fraction to aromatic hydrocarbons; A.3) obtaining a jet fuel comprising the, optionally further treated, converted separated C9 to C15 fraction of step A.2); B.1) separating at least a portion of the C16+ fraction from the product of a hydrocarbon synthesis process; B.2) reducing the average number of carbon atoms of at least a portion of the separated C16+ fraction; B.3) optionally, separating the C9 to C15 fraction of at least a portion from the product obtained from step B.2); and B.4) adding at least a portion of the C9 to C15 fraction separated in step B.3), if present; or at least a portion of the product of step B.2).

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 producing an oligomeric product by oligomerization of at least one olefinic compound, the process including a) providing an activated oligomerization catalyst, by combining, in any order, i) a source of chromium, ii) a ligating compound, iii) a catalyst activator or combination of catalyst activators, b) providing a zinc compound, and c) contacting the at least one olefinic compound with a composition containing the activated oligomerization catalyst and the zinc compound, the zinc compound being present in a sufficient quantity such that the ratio of the molar amount of zinc in the zinc compound to the molar amount of chromium in the source of chromium is between 1 and 10,000. The invention also provides a process of activating an oligomerization catalyst to be used to produce an oligomeric product from at least one olefinic compound.

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: The invention provides a fully synthetic aviation fuel or aviation fuel component having: a total naphthenic content of more than 30 mass %, a mass ratio of naphthenic to iso-paraffinic hydrocarbon species of more than 1 and less than 15, a density (at 15° C.) of greater than 0.775 g·cm-3, but less than 0.850 g·cm-3, an aromatic hydrocarbon content of greater than 8 mass %, but less than 20 mass %, a freezing point of less than ?47° C., a lubricity BOCLE WSD value of less than 0.85 mm. The invention further provides for the preparation of a fully synthetic coal-derived aviation fuel or aviation fuel component by blending a LFTF and a tar derived blend component. The invention extends to a method of producing a coal-derived, fully synthetic aviation fuel or aviation fuel component from coal gasifier tar and an LTLF derived fraction.

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: This invention relates to the field of Fischer-Tropsch catalysis, in particular to activation of a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst. More particularly the invention relates to a method of activating an iron based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst which includes iron in a positive oxidation state by contacting in a reactor said iron based catalyst with a reducing gas selected from the group consisting of CO and a combination of H2 and CO; at a temperature of at least 245° C. and below 280° C.; at a reducing gas pressure of above 0.5 MPa and not more than 2.2 MPa; and at a GHSV of total gas fed to the reactor of at least 6000 ml(N)/g cat/h, thereby reducing the iron that is in a positive oxidation step in 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.

Abstract: A process for preparing a catalyst precursor includes forming a slurry of particles of an insoluble metal compound, where the metal of the insoluble metal compound is an active catalyst component, with particles and/or one or more bodies of a pre-shaped catalyst support in a carrier liquid. The particles of the insoluble metal compound are thus contacted with the particles and/or the one or more bodies of the pre-shaped catalyst support. A treated catalyst support is thereby produced. Carrier liquid is removed from the slurry to obtain a dried treated catalyst support, which either directly constitutes the catalyst precursor, or is optionally calcined to obtain the catalyst precursor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Fischer-Tropsch derived aviation fuel, which fuel is used either as a fuel on its own or as a component in an aviation fuel blend, said fuel having an iso:n paraffins mass ratio above 3, at least 0.1 mass % naphthenes, <0.01 mass % polyaromatics, and <0.5 mass % aromatics.