Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining the content of metallic elements in Fischer-Tropsch waxes by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), wherein digestion of one or more samples of the waxes is carried out in an open vessel microwave digestion system. The invention further provides a sampling protocol for use with the method.

Abstract: The invention provides a mixed heteroatomic ligand for an oligomerization of olefins catalyst, which ligand includes at least three heteroatoms, of which at least one heteroatom is sulfur and at least two heteroatoms are not the same. The invention also provides a multidentate mixed heteroatomic ligand for an oligomerization of olefins catalyst, which ligand includes at least three heteroatoms of which at least one is a sulfur atom. The ligand may also contain, in addition to sulfur, at least one nitrogen or phosphorous heteroatom.

Abstract: The invention provides heat treated self-supported precipitated ?-Fe2O3-based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst particles. The catalyst particles are breakage resistant, thus inhibiting the formation of catalyst fines in the Fischer-Tropsch reactor, thereby maintaining the performance of the reactor and reducing the contamination of down stream processes and catalysts by the catalyst fines. The catalyst particles also exhibit superior synthesis performance in low temperature Fischer-Tropsch processes, e.g., slurry bed reactor processes for the production of wax and other syncrudes. The invention also provides a method for producing the particles and a process for using the particles.

Abstract: The invention provides a mixed heteroatomic ligand for an oligomerisation of olefins catalyst, which ligand includes at least three heteroatoms, of which at least one heteroatom is sulfur and at least two heteroatoms are not the same. The invention also provides a multidentate mixed heteroatomic ligand for an oligomerisation of olefins catalyst, which ligand includes at least three heteroatoms of which at least one is a sulfur atom. The ligand may also contain, in addition to sulfur, at least one nitrogen or phosphorous heteroatom.

Abstract: A process for the production of a synthetic low sulphur diesel fuel and a low soot emission aviation fuel is disclosed. The process includes fractionation of a Low Temperature Fischer-Tropsch feedstock into a light kerosene fraction and a heaver diesel fraction in a volumetric ratio of at least 1:2 to form the light kerosene fraction having a smoke point greater than 50 mm, a freezing point of below ?47° C., a BOCLE lubricity wear scar less than 0.85 mm, and an anti-oxidant additiveless thermal stability tube deposit rating at 260° C. of less than 1 useable as a low soot emission aviation fuel and/or an aviation fuel blend stock, and the heavier diesel fraction having CFPP according to IP309 of below ?5° C., a density@20° C. of at least 0.78 kg/l, and a viscosity@40° C. of above 2 cSt useable as a synthetic low sulphur diesel fuel and/or a diesel fuel blend stock.

Abstract: The invention provides a mixed heteroatomic ligand for an oligomerisation of olefins catalyst, which ligand includes at least three heteroatoms, of which at least one heteroatom is nitrogen and at least two heteroatoms are not the same. The invention also provides a multidentate mixed heroatomic ligand for an oligomerization of olefins catalyst, which ligand includes at least three heteroatoms. At least one heteroatom may be nitrogen and at least 2 heteroatoms may not be the same.

Abstract: The invention provides a mixed heteroatomic ligand for an oligomerisation of olefins catalyst, which ligand includes at least three heteroatoms, of which at least one heteroatom is sulfur and at least 2 heteroatoms are not the same. The invention also provides a multidentate mixed heteroatomic ligand for an oligomerisation of olefins catalyst, which ligand includes at least three heteroatoms of which at least one is a sulfur atom. The ligand may also contain, in addition to sulfur, at least one nitrogen or phosphorous heteroatom.

Abstract: This invention relates to process for producing middle distillates having good cold flow properties, such as the Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) measured in accordance with the IP method 309, and a high Cetane number, as well as to a process for production of such distillates. More particularly, this invention relates to a process in which middle distillates are produced from a mainly paraffinic synthetic crude which is produced by the reaction of CO and H2, typically by the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process. The middle distillates produced by the process of the invention are predominantly isoparaffinic, the isoparaffins being methyl, ethyl and/or propyl branched.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for the production of diesel boiling range hydrocarbons, the process including at least the steps of obtaining an olefinic feed stream from one or more hydrocarbon producing processes wherein the olefinic feed stream contains branched short chain olefins having a chain length of from three to eight carbon atoms, and contacting the feed stream with a shape selective medium pore acid zeolite catalyst in a pressurised reactor at elevated temperature so as to convert said short chain olefins to higher hydrocarbons. The invention also provides an apparatus for carrying out the process and recovering the catalyst for reuse.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method of separating non-acid chemicals from a water rich stream produced during a Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reaction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for production of middle distillates having biodegradability properties. More particularly, this invention relates to a process for production of middle distillates produced from a mainly paraffinic synthetic crude which is produced by the reaction of CO and H2, typically by the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process. The middle distillate produced according to the process of the invention may be a diesel fuel, having an aromatics content of less than 9%, as determined by the ASTM D 5186 or IP 391 test method. The paraffinic chains of the middle distillate may be predominantly isoparaffins.

Abstract: This invention relates to middle distillates having good cold flow properties, such as the Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) measured in accordance with the IP method (309), and a high Cetane number, as well as to a process for production of such distillates. More particularly, this invention relates to middle distillates produced from a mainly paraffinic synthetic crude which is produced by the reaction of CO and H2, typically by the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process. The middle distillates of the invention are predominantly isoparaffinic, the isoparaffins being methyl, ethyl and/or propyl branched. The invention also provides a diesel fuel composition including the middle distillates in accordance with the invention. A process for preparing the middle distillates is also included in the invention.

Abstract: A process for the production of highly purified water 44 from Fischer-Tropsch reaction water 12 includes distillation 14 as a primary treatment stage, biological treatment including anaerobic digestion 20 and aerobic digestion 22 as a secondary treatment stage, solid-liquid separation 32 as a tertiary treatment stage and a dissolved salt and organic removal stage 40 as final treatment stage.

Abstract: A process for the production of highly purified water from Fischer-Tropsch reaction water includes distillation as a primary treatment stage, evaporation as a secondary treatment stage, aerobic treatment as a tertiary treatment stage, solid-liquid separation as a quartic treatment stage, and membrane separation as a final treatment stage.

Abstract: A process for the production of highly purified water 38 from Fischer-Tropsch reaction water 12, includes at least the steps of a primary treatment stage comprising an equilibrium staged separation process 14 having at least one stage for removing at least a fraction of non-acid oxygenated hydrocarbons from the Fischer-Tropsch reaction water 12 to produce a primary water-enriched stream 16, a secondary treatment stage comprising at least one membrane separation process 28 for removing at least some suspended solids and acidic oxygenated hydrocarbons from at least a portion of the primary water-enriched stream 16 to produce a secondary water-enriched stream 34 and a tertiary treatment stage comprising a dissolved salt and organic removal stage 36 for removing at least some dissolved salts and organic constituents from at least a portion of the secondary water-enriched stream 34.

Abstract: A process for the production of purified water from Fischer-Tropsch reaction water wherein the purified water is an aqueous stream having a COD of between 20 and 500 mg/l, a pH of between 6.0 and 9.

Abstract: A process for the production of highly purified water from Fischer-Tropsch reaction water, which process includes at least the steps of a primary treatment stage comprising biological treatment for removing at least a fraction of dissolved organic carbon from the Fischer-Tropsch reaction water to produce a primary water-enriched stream, a secondary treatment stage comprising solid-liquid separation for removing at least some solids from at least a portion of the primary water-enriched stream to produce a secondary water-enriched stream, and a tertiary treatment stage comprising a dissolved salt and organic removal step for removing at least some dissolved salts and organic constituents from at least a portion of the secondary water-enriched stream.

Abstract: The invention provides heat treated self-supported precipitated iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst particles. The particles of the present invention are breakage resistant and exhibit superior synthesis performance. The invention also provides a method for producing said particles and a process for using said particles.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst comprising a precipitated iron product and a catalyst promotor. The catalyst has a surface area of below 60 m2 per gram of catalyst in the reduced form or below 100 m2 per gram of catalyst in the non-reduced form. According to the invention there is also provided a process for preparing the catalyst and the use thereof in the synthesis of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method of separating non-acid chemicals from a water rich stream produced during a Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reaction.