Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of producing hydrogen, the method comprising: receiving a feed gas comprising hydrocarbons; performing one or more reforming processes on the feed gas so as to generate a reformed gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide; performing a water-gas-shift process on the reformed gas so as to generate a shifted gas comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide; performing a hydrogen separation process and a carbon dioxide separation process on the shifted gas to thereby generate separate streams of hydrogen, carbon dioxide and a rest gas; and the method further comprises recycling at least part of the rest gas by feeding at least part of the rest gas back into one or more of the one or more reforming processes, the water-gas-shift process, the hydrogen separation process and the carbon dioxide separation process; wherein the portion of the rest gas that is recycled is at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, and more preferably at least 90%.

Abstract: A system for a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis using a three-phase reactor in which a primary filter removes coarse catalyst particles from the product and in which catalyst fines are removed in a secondary filter. Some or all portion of the product wax from the secondary filter can be recycled back to the reactor, either as a back flush medium for the primary filter or directly to the slurry in the reactor, whereby removal of catalyst fines is rendered independent of the rate of wax production.

Abstract: A slurry bubble column reactor with a gas distribution arrangement comprising an upper sparger, a lower sparger, and an open-ended tube. Gas from the lower sparger enters the tube and lowers the density of slurry in the tube. The difference in slurry density causes the slurry in the tube to rise, causing slurry outside the tube to move down, maintaining circulation and flushing catalyst from the vessel wall.

Abstract: A system and process for removing catalyst fines from a gas stream overhead the slurry in a Fischer-Tropsch slurry bubble column reactor. The gas phase at the top of the slurry bubble column reactor containing small amounts of entrained liquid and catalyst particles. The unreacted gases are passed through a demister, which removes larger droplets and catalyst particles. Smaller droplets and catalyst fines are conveyed to a secondary gas cleaner, such as a cyclone, whereby substantially all remaining particles are removed from the gas phase. A particle-containing liquid produced in the secondary gas cleaner can be further subjected to a filtrate cleaning unit to filter out fine catalyst particles and produce a substantially particle-free liquid product stream and a slurry stream of liquid product containing catalyst particles.

Abstract: A catalyst for use in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction which comprises cobalt supported on alumina, in which: the catalyst average particle size is in the range 20 to 100 ?m; the specific surface area of the impregnated and calcined catalyst particles is greater than 80 m2/g; the average pore size of the impregnated and calcined catalyst is at least 90 ? (9 nm); and the pore volume of the impregnated and calcined catalyst is greater than 0.35 cm3/g.

Abstract: A system and process for removing catalyst fines from a gas stream overhead the slurry in a Fischer-Tropsch slurry bubble column reactor. The gas phase at the top of the slurry bubble column reactor containing small amounts of entrained liquid and catalyst particles. The unreacted gases are passed through a demister, which removes larger droplets and catalyst particles. Smaller droplets and catalyst fines are conveyed to a secondary gas cleaner, such as a cyclone, whereby substantially all remaining particles are removed from the gas phase. A particle-containing liquid produced in the secondary gas cleaner can be further subjected to a filtrate cleaning unit to filter out fine catalyst particles and produce a substantially particle-free liquid product stream and a slurry stream of liquid product containing catalyst particles.

Abstract: A system for a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis using a three-phase reactor in which a primary filter removes coarse catalyst particles from the product and in which catalyst fines are removed in a secondary filter. Some or all portion of the product wax from the secondary filter can be recycled back to the reactor, either as a back flush medium for the primary filter or directly to the slurry in the reactor, whereby removal of catalyst fines is rendered independent of the rate of wax production.

Abstract: A slurry bubble column reactor with a gas distribution arrangement comprising an upper sparger, a lower sparger, and an open-ended tube. Gas from the lower sparger enters the tube and lowers the density of slurry in the tube. The difference in slurry density causes the slurry in the tube to rise, causing slurry outside the tube to move down, maintaining circulation and flushing catalyst from the vessel wall.

Abstract: Embodiments include a catalyst for use in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction which comprises cobalt supported on alumina. In some embodiments, the alumina support may have specific surface area of less than 50 m2/g and/or may be least 10% ?-alumina.

Abstract: A catalyst for use in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction which comprises cobalt supported on alumina, in which: the catalyst average particle size is in the range 20 to 100 ?m; the specific surface area of the impregnated and calcined catalyst particles is greater than 80 m2/g; the average pore size of the impregnated and calcined catalyst is at least 90 ? (9 nm); and the pore volume of the impregnated and calcined catalyst is greater than 0.35 cm3g.

Abstract: A catalyst for use in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction which comprises cobalt supported on alumina. The alumina support has a specific surface area of less than 50 m2/g and/or is at least 10% &agr;-alumina.

Abstract: A method is described for conversion of natural gas or other fossil fuels to higher hydrocarbons, comprising the following steps: a) reaction of natural gas with steam and oxygenic gas in at least one reforming zone in order to produce a synthesis gas consisting primarily of hydrogen and CO, in addition to some carbon dioxide; b) passing said synthesis gas to a Fisher-Tropsch reactor in order to produce a crude synthesis stream consisting of lower hydrocarbons, water and non-converted synthesis gas; c) separation of said crude synthesis stream in a recovery zone, into a crude product stream mainly containing heavier hydrocarbons, a water stream and a tail gas stream mainly containing the remaining constituents; which is charaterized in that the method also comprises the following steps; d) stream reformation of at least part of the tail gas in a separate steam reformer; e) introduction of the reformed tail gas into the gas stream before this is led into the Fischer-Tropsch reactor.

Abstract: A method is described for conversion of natural gas or other fossil fuels to higher hydrocarbons, comprising the following steps: a) reaction of natural gas with steam and oxygenic gas in at least one reforming zone in order to produce a synthesis gas consisting primarily of H2 and CO, in addition to some CO2; b) passing said synthesis gas to a Fisher-Tropsch reactor in order to produce a crude synthesis stream consisting of lower hydrocarbons, water and non-converted synthesis gas; c) separation of said crude synthesis stream in a recovery zone, into a crude product stream mainly containing heavier hydrocarbons, a water stream and a tail gas stream mainly containing the remaining constituents; which is charaterised in that the method also comprises the following steps; d) stream reformation of at least part of the tail gas in a separate steam reformer. e) introduction of the reformed tail gas into the gas stream before this is led into the Fischer-Tropsch reactor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reaction system for a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis which has high mass transfer characteristics at the catalyst. The reactor comprises a monolithic catalyst comprising a solid body defining discrete and continuous channels extending from one end of the body to the other. The walls of the channels contain a conventional Fischer-Tropsch catalyst; conventional promoters may also be included. The body preferably may also comprises channels for conducting coolants which are arranged traversely to the reaction channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an integrated plant to be used in the process for the preparation of synthetic fuel (synfuel) and production of electrical energy. A part of the energy produced is used for the operation of the energy requiring steps of the process, whereas the residual part is exported for other purposes. The warm exhaust gas from the part of the plant producing electrical energy is fed to a preheating step for natural gas being used as a starting material for the preparation of synfuel.

Abstract: A method of regenerating the catalyst in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction. Synthesis gas is supplied to the catalyst in conditions which favor high CO conversions. This results in a high H.sub.2 partial pressure which in turn results in catalyst regeneration.