Abstract: Linear alpha olefins having from four to twenty carbon atoms and low amounts of oxygenates are synthesized, by producing a synthesis gas containing H2 and CO from natural gas and passing it over a non-shifting cobalt catalyst at reaction conditions of temperature, % CO conversion, and gas feed H2:CO mole ratio land water vapor pressure, effective for the mathematical expression 200−0.6T+0.03PH2O−0.6XCO−8(H2:CO) to have a numerical value greater than or equal to 50. This process can be integrated into a conventional Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis process producing fuels and lubricant oils.

Abstract: Linear alpha olefins having from four to twenty carbon atoms and low amounts of oxygenates are synthesized, by producing a synthesis gas containing H2 and CO from natural gas and passing it over a non-shifting cobalt catalyst at reaction conditions of temperature, % CO conversion, and gas feed H2:CO mole ratio and water vapor pressure, effective for the mathematical expression 200−0.6T+0.03PH2O−0.6XCO−8(H2:CO) to have a numerical value greater than or equal to 50. This process can be integrated into a conventional Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis process producing fuels and lubricant oils.

Abstract: There is provided an improved system and process for the catalytic hydrogenation of carbon monoxide to form a mixture of hydrocarbons utilizing a plurality of reactors in series. Synthesis gas entering the system under pressure is partially converted in at least one initial stage reactor and the effluent therefrom introduced into a final stage reactor. In the at least one initial stage reactor, a portion of the catalyst is continuously or periodically removed with some hydrocarbons and treated to renew, or renew and enhance it, and returned. The treatment comprises reducing the hydrocarbon context of the withdrawn mixture, heating to a temperature above at least one of the metals in the catalyst thereby forming a melt, removing any slag forming on the melt, cooling the melt and reducing the particle size of the resulting solid to a fine powder of renewed catalyst.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for renewing the activity of a Dispersed Active Metal (DAM) catalyst during operation of a reactor wherein the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide to produce a mixture of hydrocarbons is being carried out comprising withdrawing a mixture of hydrocarbons and a portion of the DAM catalyst, reducing the hydrocarbon content thereof, heating the mixture above the melting temperature of at least one of the metals of the DAM to form a melt, removing any slag that forms on the melt, cooling the melt to form a solid, reducing the particle size thereof to form a renewed particulate DAM catalyst, which is then returned to the reactor. Wherein the DAM catalyst is a Raney catalyst, a leachable metal is added to the reduced hydrocarbon mixture or the melt under non-oxidizing conditions and, after the solid is reduced to a fine particle size, extracting the leachable metal with caustic.