Abstract: Process for converting synthesis gas to higher hydrocarbons, at an elevated temperature and pressure. The process comprises continuously introducing a synthesis gas feed stream comprising 0.1 to 50% by volume of carbon dioxide into a continuous stirred reactor system comprising a reactor vessel containing a suspension of a solid particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst suspended in a liquid medium, wherein the solid particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst is stable in the presence of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Process for converting synthesis gas to hydrocarbons which comprises contacting a gaseous stream comprising synthesis gas, at an elevated temperature and pressure, with a suspension comprising a particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst having a particle size in the range 5 microns to 500 microns, suspended in a liquid medium, in a system comprising at least one high shear mixing zone and a reactor vessel. The suspension and the gaseous stream is passed through the high shear mixing zone(s) wherein the gaseous stream is broken down into gas bubbles. The suspension having gas bubbles dispersed therein is discharged from the high shear mixing zone(s) into the reactor vessel, and suspension comprising the particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst suspended in the liquid medium and liquid hydrocarbon products is withdrawn from the reactor vessel and at least a portion of the suspension is recycled to the high shear mixing zone(s) via an external conduit at a flow rate of at least 10,000 m3 of suspension per hour.

Abstract: Process of contacting a gaseous reactant stream comprising synthesis gas at elevated temperature and pressure with a suspension of a particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst comprising cobalt in a liquid medium in a reactor system comprising at least one high shear mixing zone and a reactor vessel, by a) contacting the particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst with a reducing gas at elevated temperature and pressure outside of the high shear mixing zone(s) and the reactor vessel and subsequently suspending the particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst in the liquid medium; b) passing the suspension from step a) through the high shear mixing zone(s) where the gaseous reactant stream comprising synthesis gas is mixed with the suspension; c) discharging a mixture comprising the synthesis gas and the suspension from the high shear mixing zone(s) into the reactor vessel; and d) converting the synthesis gas to liquid hydrocarbons in the reactor vessel to form a product suspension comprising the particulate Fischer-Tropsch cataly

Abstract: Process for the conversion of synthesis gas to liquid hydrocarbon products by contacting, in a slurry reactor, synthesis gas at an elevated temperature and pressure with a suspension of catalyst in a liquid medium, introducing a low boiling solvent into the slurry reactor, vaporising at least a portion of the low boiling solvent in the slurry reactor, withdrawing from the slurry reactor, a gaseous stream comprising unreacted synthesis gas and vaporised low boiling solvent, cooling at least a portion of the gaseous stream to a temperature at which liquid condenses out so as to form a two phase mixture of gas and condensed liquid, and recycling at least a portion of the gas and at least a portion of the condensed liquid to the slurry reactor.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for the conversion of synthesis gas to liquid hydrocarbon products, comprising a plurality of injector-mixing nozzles, a tank reactor, a gas recycle line having a first end and a second end and a slurry recycle line having a first end and a second end. The plurality of injector-mixing nozzles is arranged at or near the top of the tank reactor, each injector mixing nozzle having a first inlet for a suspension of a catalyst in a liquid medium, at least one second inlet for synthesis gas and an outlet positioned within the tank reactor for discharging a mixture of synthesis gas and the suspension from the injector-mixing nozzles in a downwards direction into the tank reactor. The tank reactor has a first outlet for discharging a product suspension at or near the bottom thereof and a second outlet for a gaseous recycle stream at or near the top thereof.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of synthesis gas to hydrocarbons, at least a portion of which are liquid at ambient temperature and pressure, by contacting the synthesis gas at an elevated temperature and pressure with a suspension comprising a solid particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst suspended in a liquid medium, which contacting takes place in a reactor system comprising at least one high shear mixing zone and a reactor vessel wherein the volume of suspension present in the high shear mixing zone(s) is substantially less than the volume of suspension present in the reactor vessel, which process comprises: mixing the suspension with synthesis gas in the high shear mixing zone(s) and dissipating kinetic energy to the suspension present in the high shear mixing zone(s) at a rate of at least 0.

Abstract: A process for converting synthesis gas to higher hydrocarbons, at an elevated temperature and pressure, comprising continuously introducing a synthesis gas feed stream comprising 0.1 to 50% by volume of carbon dioxide into a continuous stirred reactor system comprising a reactor vessel containing a suspension of a solid particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst suspended in a liquid medium wherein the solid particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst is stable in the presence of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A process which comprises contacting a gaseous reactant stream comprising synthesis gas at elevated temperature and pressure with a suspension of a particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst comprising cobalt in a liquid medium in a reactor system comprising at least one high shear mixing zone and a reactor vessel wherein the process comprises the steps of: a) contacting the particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst with a reducing gas at elevated temperature and pressure outside of the high shear mixing zone(s) and the reactor vessel and subsequently suspending the particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst in the liquid medium; b) passing the suspension from step a) through the high shear mixing zone(s) where the gaseous reactant stream comprising synthesis gas is mixed with the suspension; c) discharging a mixture comprising the synthesis gas and the suspension from the high shear mixing zone(s) into the reactor vessel; and d) converting the synthesis gas to liquid hydrocarbons in the reactor vessel to form a product suspe

Abstract: A process for filtering a suspension comprising a particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst suspended in liquid hydrocarbons and having synthesis gas dispersed therein in the form of gas bubbles and/or irregularly shaped gas voids which process comprises passing the suspension through a filtration unit via a mechanical pumping means under turbulent flow conditions. The filtration unit may comprise a conventional filter element or a T-piece magnetic separator.

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 suspensi n 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 the production of liquid hydrocarbon products by passing, at elevated temperature and pressure, synthesis gas and a fluidizing liquid through a fluidized catalytic bed within a reaction zone, characterized in that the fluidized catalytic bed is an aggregative fluidized catalytic bed comprising a particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst having a density of greater than 4,000 kg/m3.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of synthesis gas to liquid hydrocarbon products comprising contacting, in a slurry reactor, synthesis gas at an elevated temperature and pressure with a suspension of catalyst in a liquid medium, introducing a low boiling solvent into the slurry reactor, vaporising at least a portion of the low boiling solvent in the slurry reactor, withdrawing from the slurry reactor, a gaseous stream comprising unreacted synthesis gas and vaporised low boiling solvent, cooling at least a portion of the gaseous stream to a temperature at which liquid condenses out so as to form a two phase mixture of gas and condensed liquid, and recycling at least a portion of the gas and at least a portion of the condensed liquid to the slurry reactor.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for the conversion of synthesis gas to liquid hydrocarbon products, comprising a plurality of injector-mixing nozzles, a tank reactor, a gas recycle line having a first end and a second end and a slurry recycle line having a first end and a second end. The plurality of injector-mixing nozzles is arranged at or near the top of the tank reactor, each injector mixing nozzle having a first inlet for a suspension of a catalyst in a liquid medium, at least one second inlet for synthesis gas and an outlet positioned within the tank reactor for discharging a mixture of synthesis gas and the suspension from the injector-mixing nozzles in a downwards direction into the tank reactor. The tank reactor has a first outlet for discharging a product suspension at or near the bottom thereof and a second outlet for a gaseous recycle stream at or near the top thereof.

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 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 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: 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 cobalt catalyst for use in the Fischer Tropsch reaction of synthesis gas to form hydrocarbons is activated or regenerated by treatment of a cobalt containing catalyst with a gas containing carbon monoxide, said gas containing less than 30% v hydrogen. The catalyst obtained has increased activity and greater selectivity towards producing C.sub.5 + hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A cobalt catalyst for use in the Fischer Tropsch reaction of synthesis gas to form hydrocarbons is activated or regenerated by treatment of a cobalt containing catalyst with a gas containing carbon monoxide, said gas containing less than 30% v hydrogen. The catalyst obtained has increased activity and greater selectivity towards producing C.sub.5+ hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A composition for use after reductive activation as a catalyst for the conversion of synthesis gas to hydrocarbons having a carbon number greater than one, which composition has the formula:Ru.sub.a A.sub.b CeO.sub.xwhereinA is an alkali metal,x is a number such that the valence requirements of the other elements for oxygen is satisfied,a is greater than zero and less than 1% w/w, based on the total weight of the composition,b is in the range from zero to 10% w/w, based on the total weight of the composition, andCe and O constitute the remainder of the composition,is produced by the process comprising the steps of:(A) bringing together in solution soluble salts of the metals ruthenium and cerium and a precipitant comprising a carbonate and/or bicarbonate and/or a hydroxide of an alkali metal or ammonium under conditions whereby there is formed a precipitate comprising ruthenium and cerium in the form of compounds thermally decomposable to their oxides, and(B) recovering the precipitate obtained in step (A).