Abstract: A method of starting up a Fischer-Tropsch reaction in a system comprising at least one high shear mixing zone and a reactor vessel which method comprises a) passing a suspension of a particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst in a liquid medium through the high shear mixing zone(s) into the reactor vessel and recycling at least a portion of the suspension to the high shear mixing zone(s) in the substantial absence of a gaseous reactant feed stream comprising synthesis gas; b) increasing the temperature and/or pressure within the reactor vessel until a threshold temperature and/or pressure is reached and subsequently introducing a gaseous reactant stream comprising synthesis gas into the high shear mixing zone(s) where the gaseous reactant stream is mixed with the suspension; c) discharging a mixture comprising synthesis gas and the suspension from the high shear mixing zone(s) into the reactor vessel; d) converting the synthesis gas to liquid hydrocarbons in the reactor vessel to form a product suspension comprisin

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of in situ reduction of a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst slurry. The preferred embodiments of the present invention are characterized by a system that utilizes a co-feed of carbon monoxide along with the reducing gas into a reduction vessel maintained at an elevated temperature. As the metal oxide reduces to the active Fischer-Tropsch metal, the carbon monoxide acts as a poison to hydrogenolysis and reduces the loss of liquid from the slurry and the production of methane. The carbon monoxide is generally in parts-per-million quantities and will achieve the desired results in quantities less than 5,000 ppm, preferably less than 2,000 ppm.

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 invention is directed to a process for the production of 1,5-dinitronaphthalene wherein naphthalene is nitrated by nitric acid in the absence of sulfuric acid at temperatures of from 30 to 80° C., wherein the nitric acid has a concentration of from 72 to 87 wt.-%, the reaction mixture obtained is filtered at temperatures of from 5 to 20° C. and the solid precipitate obtained is washed with water, and 1,5-dinitronaphthalene is isolated from the washed precipitate by washing with acetone.

Abstract: CO2 emissions from Fischer-Tropsch facilities are controlled by using multiple reactors. A process for the conversion of syngas using multiple Fischer-Tropsch reactors comprises reacting at least a portion of a first syngas in a first Fischer-Tropsch reactor to form a first hydrocarbonaceous product and a second syngas. The second syngas is mixed with a H2-containing stream to form an adjusted syngas. At least a portion of the adjusted syngas is reacted in a second Fischer-Tropsch reactor to form a second hydrocarbonaceous product and a third syngas. At least a portion of the first and second hydrocarbonaceous products are blended to obtain a blended hydrocarbonaceous product.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in the preparation of liquid hydrocarbons from natural gas/methane, oxygen and/or steam. In particular, the present invention relates to processes for the production of synthesis gas, reducing the oxygen concentration from the synthesis gas, and the production of liquid hydrocarbons using the oxygen reduced synthesis gas as a feedstock. More particularly, the present invention described herein identifies catalyst compositions, apparatus and methods of using such catalysts and apparatus for preparing liquid hydrocarbons via oxygen reduced synthesis gas all in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: CO2 emissions from syngas conversion processes are reduced by use of a multi-stage Fischer-Tropsch reaction system. A process for the conversion of syngas using a Fischer-Tropsch reactor comprises forming a first syngas and reacting at least a portion of the first syngas in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor to form a first hydrocarbonaceous product and a second syngas. The second syngas is mixed with a hydrogen-containing stream to provide an adjusted syngas, at least a portion of which is reacted in a dual functional syngas conversion reactor to form a second hydrocarbonaceous product and a third syngas comprising a reduced amount of CO2 than was present in the adjusted syngas.

Abstract: This process uses two catalysts instead of one, converting CO2 into C8H18. Addition of a NaCl catalyst to a Ni catalyst improves the efficiency of Fischer's process because the salt catalyst retains humidity. Furthermore, chlorine opens chemical chains and sodium prevents crystals of oxygen from covering the Ni catalyst. If we are equipped to produce CO2 from biogas or smoke, we can recycle this CO2 and yield a useful liquid. In fact, recycling CO2 into a synthetic crude hydrocarbon, octane, contributes to clean air and to produce a valuable source of energy. Because CO2 is a renewable resource, this process favors a lasting economic development.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of dinitrotoluene by the two-stage nitration of toluene. In the first stage of this process, toluene was reacted adiabatically with nitrating acid so that at least 90% of the toluene was reacted off and no more than 70% of the toluene formed dinitrotoluene. The resulting organic phase containing mononitrotoluene and the aqueous acid phase containing sulfuric acid were separated, and the aqueous acid phase containing sulfuric acid was concentrated by flash evaporation. The resulting concentrated sulfuric acid was recycled into the reaction in the first stage, and/or into the reaction in the second stage, and/or into the concentration in the second stage. In the second stage, the organic phase containing mononitrotoluene from the first stage was completely reacted isothermally with nitrating acid.

Abstract: The present invention includes Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, reactions using Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, methods of making Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, processes of hydrogenating carbon monoxide, and fuels made using these processes. The invention provides the ability to hydrogenate carbon monoxide with low contact times, good conversion rates and low methane selectivities. In a preferred method, the catalyst is made using a metal foam support.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making high value olefins and alcohols from synthesis gas as well as a process for an improved yield of alpha-olefins from synthesis gas. The process for hydroformulation of olefins is also provided.

Abstract: A process is described for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a mixture comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst comprising at least one group VIII metal supported on a silica-alumina prepared by co-precipitating and calcining at a temperature in the range from about 500° C. to about 1200° C. for at least 6 hours so that said silica-alumina has a specific surface area of less than 260 m2/g. Said catalyst is used in a fixed bed or in suspension in a liquid phase of a three-phase reactor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatuses for cogenerating organic compounds (e.g., benzene, toluene, xylene, formate, acetate, propionate, butyrate, C1-C4 acids, C1-C4 alcohols, methanol, naphthalene, acenaphthylene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, and pyrene) along with synthesis gas in a synthesis gas reactor, preferably a catalytic partial oxidation reactor.

Abstract: In a system and method for recovering a catalyst, a slurry comprising said catalyst and residual hydrocarbons is heated so as to vaporize hydrocarbons. The vaporized hydrocarbons are separated from the catalyst. The separated catalyst is preferably further contacted with a stripping medium so as to further remove remaining hydrocarbons. In an embodiment, the catalyst is a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst contained in a reactor, preferably a slurry bubble reactor. In some embodiments, the slurry is diluted with additional hydrocarbons, and the residual hydrocarbons comprise waxy hydrocarbons. In an embodiment, substantially all of the hydrocarbons in the slurry are vaporized. In an embodiment, the catalyst is separated from the vaporized hydrocarbons via centrifugation. In an embodiment, substantially all of the hydrocarbons are removed from the catalyst.

Abstract: A process for starting up a Fischer-Tropsch reactor includes establishing, in the reactor, an initial charge of molten wax. The initial reactor temperature is below the line-out reactor temperature but is sufficiently high for a Fischer-Tropsch reaction to take place. The reactor contains, in contact with the molten wax, at least a portion of its line-out catalyst inventory. Syngas is fed into the reactor at an initial flow rate below the line-out syngas flow rate. Initially a syngas H2:CO molar ratio is maintained at a higher value than its line-out value, whereafter the syngas H2:CO molar ratio is decreased to its line-out value. The syngas flow rate and the reactor temperature are then increased to their line-out values.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for regenerating a catalyst used in a process for synthesizing hydrocarbons. The synthesis process involves contacting a feed stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst in a reaction zone maintained at conversion-promoting conditions effective to produce an effluent stream comprising hydrocarbons. The regeneration process involves contacting a deactivated Fischer-Tropsch catalyst with a regeneration gas under regeneration-promoting conditions that include a pressure lower than the mean Fischer-Tropsch reaction pressure, for a period of time sufficient to reactivate the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for managing hydrogen in a hydrocarbon gas to liquid plant. The process includes passing a syngas feed stream produced by a partial oxidation reactor to a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, thereby converting the syngas to hydrocarbon liquids. The hydrogen management process further includes passing a second hydrogen rich stream produced by an auxiliary source to a hydrogen user such as an FT water stripper, an FT catalyst regeneration unit, and an FT product upgrading unit. The auxiliary source could be a process for converting hydrocarbons to syngas, a process for converting hydrocarbons to olefins, a process for converting hydrocarbons to aromatics, a process for catalytically dehydrogenating hydrocarbons, a process for catalytically cracking hydrocarbons, a process for refining petroleum, and a process for converting hydrocarbons to carbon filaments.

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: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for water removal in multi-phase reactors operating at Fischer-Tropsch conditions. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method of reducing the concentration of water in a multi-phase reactor for Fisher-Tropsch synthesis containing an expanded slurry bed and a water-rich slurry region includes removing a portion of water from the water-rich slurry from a predetermined region in the reactor, removing the water from the water-rich slurry to form a water-reduced slurry, and returning the water-reduced slurry back to the reactor. Preferably the water-rich slurry region is located between ½ H to H and ½ R to R, where H is the height of the expanded slurry bed and R is the radius of the expanded slurry bed.

Abstract: A catalyst composition and a process of using a catalyst composition for preparing high molecular weight hydrocarbons, such as polymethylene, from a fluid containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide are disclosed. The catalyst composition contains ruthenium and zirconium. The zirconium can be present as a zirconium component that can be selected from zirconyl phosphate, zirconium oxide, and zirconium phosphate prepared by processes of the present invention.