Abstract: A reactor includes: a shell with first and second ends, an fluid inlet at the first end for receiving a process fluid, and an outlet at the second end for discharging a reacted process fluid, and a plurality of elongate containment units within the shell for containing a particulate catalyst or sorbent, each containment unit including two perforate members defining a space in which the particulate catalyst or sorbent may be placed, the perforate members mounted between two fluid-impermeable end members, wherein one end member extends across the containment unit to provide a closed end and the other end member closes the space thereby providing an open end through which a process fluid may enter or exit the containment unit, and a header assembly connected to the open ends of the containment units and either the fluid inlet or fluid outlet. A process using the reactor is also described.

Abstract: A method is described for preparing a catalyst precursor suitable for use in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of hydrocarbons including 10 to 40% by weight of cobalt oxide crystallites and 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of a precious metal promoter, dispersed over the surface of a porous transition alumina wherein the surface of the transition alumina has been modified by inclusion of 0.25 to 3.5% wt magnesium, including the steps of: (a) forming a modified catalyst support by impregnating a transition alumina with a magnesium compound, drying and calcining the impregnated alumina in a first calcination at a temperature 600° C. to convert the magnesium compound into oxidic form, and (b) forming a catalyst precursor by impregnating the modified catalyst support with a cobalt compound and precious metal promoter compound, drying and calcining the impregnated catalyst support in a second calcination to convert the cobalt compound to cobalt oxide.

Abstract: A method is described for preparing a catalyst precursor suitable for use in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of hydrocarbons including 10 to 40% by weight of cobalt oxide crystallites and 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of a precious metal promoter, dispersed over the surface of a porous transition alumina wherein the surface of the transition alumina has been modified by inclusion of 0.25 to 3.5% wt magnesium, including the steps of: (a) forming a modified catalyst support by impregnating a transition alumina with a magnesium compound, drying and calcining the impregnated alumina in a first calcination at a temperature ?600° C. to convert the magnesium compound into oxidic form, and (b) forming a catalyst precursor by impregnating the modified catalyst support with a cobalt compound and precious metal promoter compound, drying and calcining the impregnated catalyst support in a second calcination to convert the cobalt compound to cobalt oxide.

Abstract: A reactor includes: a shell with first and second ends, an fluid inlet at the first end for receiving a process fluid, and an outlet at the second end for discharging a reacted process fluid, and a plurality of elongate containment units within the shell for containing a particulate catalyst or sorbent, each containment unit including two perforate members defining a space in which the particulate catalyst or sorbent may be placed, the perforate members mounted between two fluid-impermeable end members, wherein one end member extends across the containment unit to provide a closed end and the other end member closes the space thereby providing an open end through which a process fluid may enter or exit the containment unit, and a header assembly connected to the open ends of the containment units and either the fluid inlet or fluid outlet. A process using the reactor is also described.

Abstract: Process for increasing the hydrogen content of a synthesis gas containing one or more sulphur compounds, the synthesis gas including hydrogen, carbon oxides and steam, and having a ratio defined as R?(H2—C02)/(CO+C02)?0.6 and a steam to carbon monoxide ratio ?1.8, includes the steps of (i) adjusting the temperature of the synthesis gas; (ii) passing at least a portion of the heated synthesis gas adiabatically through a first bed of sulphur-tolerant water-gas shift catalyst disposed in a first shift vessel at a space velocity ?12,500 hour?1 to form a pre-shifted gas stream; and (iii) forming a shifted gas stream by subjecting at least a portion of the pre-shifted gas stream to a second stage of water-gas shift in a second shift vessel containing a second bed of sulphur-tolerant water-gas shift catalyst that is cooled in heat exchange with a gas stream including the synthesis gas.

Abstract: A process for increasing the hydrogen content of a synthesis gas containing one or more sulphur compounds, the synthesis gas including hydrogen, carbon oxides and steam, and having a ratio, R, defined as R=(H2?CO2)/(CO+CO2)?0.6 and a steam to carbon monoxide ratio ?1.8, includes the steps of (i) adjusting the synthesis gas temperature, (ii) passing the temperature-adjusted synthesis gas through an adiabatic pre-shift vessel containing a bed of sulphur-tolerant water-gas shift catalyst at a space velocity ?12,500 hour?1 to form a pre-shifted gas stream, and (iii) subjecting at least a portion of the pre-shifted gas stream to one or more further stages of water-gas shift.

Abstract: A process for increasing the hydrogen content of a synthesis gas containing one or more sulphur compounds, the synthesis gas including hydrogen, carbon oxides and steam, and having a ratio, R, defined as R=(H2?CO2)/(CO+CO2)?0.6 and a steam to carbon monoxide ratio ?1.8, includes the steps of (i) adjusting the synthesis gas temperature, (ii) passing the temperature-adjusted synthesis gas through an adiabatic pre-shift vessel containing a bed of sulphur-tolerant water-gas shift catalyst at a space velocity ?12,500 hour?1 to form a pre-shifted gas stream, and (iii) subjecting at least a portion of the pre-shifted gas stream to one or more further stages of water-gas shift.

Abstract: Process for increasing the hydrogen content of a synthesis gas containing one or more sulphur compounds, the synthesis gas including hydrogen, carbon oxides and steam, and having a ratio defined as R?(H2—C02)/(CO+C02)?0.6 and a steam to carbon monoxide ratio ?1.8, includes the steps of (i) adjusting the temperature of the synthesis gas; (ii) passing at least a portion of the heated synthesis gas adiabatically through a first bed of sulphur-tolerant water-gas shift catalyst disposed in a first shift vessel at a space velocity ?12,500 hour?1 to form a pre-shifted gas stream; and (iii) forming a shifted gas stream by subjecting at least a portion of the pre-shifted gas stream to a second stage of water-gas shift in a second shift vessel containing a second bed of sulphur-tolerant water-gas shift catalyst that is cooled in heat exchange with a gas stream including the synthesis gas.

Abstract: A method is described for preparing a catalyst precursor suitable for use in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of hydrocarbons including 10 to 40% by weight of cobalt oxide crystallites and 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of a precious metal promoter, dispersed over the surface of a porous transition alumina wherein the surface of the transition alumina has been modified by inclusion of 0.25 to 3.5% wt magnesium, including the steps of: (a) forming a modified catalyst support by impregnating a transition alumina with a magnesium compound, drying and calcining the impregnated alumina in a first calcination at a temperature ?600° C. to convert the magnesium compound into oxidic form, and (b) forming a catalyst precursor by impregnating the modified catalyst support with a cobalt compound and precious metal promoter compound, drying and calcining the impregnated catalyst support in a second calcination to convert the cobalt compound to cobalt oxide.