Abstract: A method of producing normally solid, normally liquid and optionally normally gaseous hydrocarbons involves contacting a gas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst under elevated temperature and pressure, to convert at least part of the hydrogen and carbon monoxide into hydrocarbons. An effluent is withdrawn from the reactor and subjected to a separation step to form at least a heavy fraction and a light fraction. The heavy fraction comprises normally solid hydrocarbons, while the light fraction comprises unconverted syngas and normally liquid and optionally normally gaseous hydrocarbons. The light fraction is sent to a light ends stripper operating at a temperature of maximally 200° C. to obtain a hydrocarbons fraction comprising normally liquid hydrocarbons. The heavy fraction is subjected to flash evaporation or steam stripping to obtain a hydrocarbon stream of normally solid hydrocarbons (comprising mainly C10+ hydrocarbons).

Abstract: A method of producing normally solid, normally liquid and optionally normally gaseous hydrocarbons involves contacting a gas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst under elevated temperature and pressure, to convert at least part of the hydrogen and carbon monoxide into hydrocarbons. An effluent is withdrawn from the reactor and subjected to a separation step to form at least a heavy fraction and a light fraction. The heavy fraction comprises normally solid hydrocarbons, while the light fraction comprises unconverted syngas and normally liquid and optionally normally gaseous hydrocarbons. The light fraction is sent to a light ends stripper operating at a temperature of maximally 200° C. to obtain a hydrocarbons fraction comprising normally liquid hydrocarbons. The heavy fraction is subjected to flash evaporation or steam stripping to obtain a hydrocarbon stream of normally solid hydrocarbons (comprising mainly C10+ hydrocarbons).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons during a production cycle (i.e. between regenerations or between start-up with freshly loaded catalyst and the first regeneration) by catalytic conversion of synthesis gas in a multiple reactor arrangement comprising at least two parallel operating reactors containing a catalyst capable of converting synthesis gas to hydrocarbons, and each reactor having a different relative reaction rate, wherein synthesis gas is distributed to each reactor at a feed rate proportional to the relative reaction rate in the respective reactor.

Abstract: A method of accommodating a reduction in production capacity of one or more reactors in a multi-reactor assembly adapted for the production of hydrocarbon products from syngas, the syngas being provided by a syngas manufacturing facility and provided to an entry stream system providing syngas to each of the reactors, and having an exit stream system taking at least hydrocarbon products from the reactors, wherein the method comprises the steps of: redistributing the syngas from the one or more said reactors to one or more other reactors, and increasing the temperature in the said one or more other reactors to at least partially take over the reduction in production capacity of the one or more reactors.

Abstract: Method to start a steady state process for producing normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons from synthesis gas, which process comprises the steps of: (i) providing the synthesis gas; and (ii) catalytically converting the synthesis gas at an elevated temperature and a steady state total reactor pressure to obtain the normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons; the method comprising admixing the synthesis gas of step (i) with one or more inert gases to form an admixture stream prior to catalytically converting the synthesis gas in step (ii) at the steady state total reactor pressure and wherein as the activity of the catalyst converting the synthesis gas proceeds towards a steady state, the amount of inert gas(es) in the admixture stream is reduced.

Abstract: A process for the production of normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons from a light hydrocarbonaceous feed gas stream, which feed gas stream includes sulphur compounds and carbon dioxide, the process comprising the steps of: (i) removing at least most of the sulphur compounds from the feed gas stream by an aqueous amine process in one or more reactors, optionally followed by on or more further treatment processes; (ii) controlling where necessary the amount of carbon dioxide in the feed gas stream in step (i) so as to be in the range 0.25-2.0 v/v&, preferably 0.5-1.5 v/v %, of the processed feed stream; (iii) using the feed gas stream of step (ii) to provide synthesis gas; and (iv) catalytic converting the synthesis gas of step (iii) at an elevated temperature and pressure to obtain the normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons during a production cycle (i.e. between regenerations or between start-up with freshly loaded catalyst and the first regeneration) by catalytic conversion of synthesis gas in a multiple reactor arrangement comprising at least two parallel operating reactors containing a catalyst capable of converting synthesis gas to hydrocarbons, and each reactor having a different relative reaction rate, wherein synthesis gas is distributed to each reactor at a feed rate proportional to the relative reaction rate in the respective reactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shaped catalyst or catalyst precursor containing a catalytically active component or a precursor therefore, the component selected from elements of Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements, supported on a carrier, which catalyst or catalyst precursor is an elongated shaped particle having three protrusions each extending from and attached to a central position, wherein the central position is aligned along the longitudinal axis of the particle, the cross-section of the particle occupying the space encompassed by the outer edges of six circles around a central circle, each of the six circles touching two neighboring circles while three alternating circles are equidistant to the central circle and may be attached to the central circle, minus the space occupied by the three remaining outer circles and including the six interstitial regions.

Abstract: A method of accommodating a reduction in production capacity of one or more reactors in a multi-reactor assembly adapted for the production of hydrocarbon products from syngas, the syngas being provided by a syngas manufacturing facility and provided to an entry stream system providing syngas to each of the reactors, and having an exit stream system taking at least hydrocarbon products from the reactors, wherein the method comprises the steps of: redistributing the syngas from the one or more said reactors to one or more other reactors, and increasing the temperature in the said one or more other reactors to at least partially take over the reduction in production capacity of the one or more reactors.

Abstract: A process for the production of normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons from a light hydrocarbonaceous feed gas stream, which feed gas stream includes sulphur compounds and carbon dioxide, the process comprising the steps of: (i) removing at least most of the sulphur compounds from the feed gas stream by an aqueous amine process in one or more reactors, optionally followed by on or more further treatment processes; (ii) controlling where necessary the amount of carbon dioxide in the feed gas stream in step (i) so as to be in the range 0.25-2.0 v/v&, preferably 0.5-1.5 v/v %, of the processed feed stream; (iii) using the feed gas stream of step (ii) to provide synthesis gas; and (iv) catalytic converting the synthesis gas of step (iii) at an elevated temperature and pressure to obtain the normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Method to start a steady state process for producing normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons from synthesis gas, which process comprises the steps of: (i) providing the synthesis gas; and (ii) catalytically converting the synthesis gas at an elevated temperature and a steady state total reactor pressure to obtain the normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons; the method comprising admixing the synthesis gas of step (i) with one or more inert gases to form an admixture stream prior to catalytically converting the synthesis gas in step (ii) at the steady state total reactor pressure and wherein as the activity of the catalyst converting the synthesis gas proceeds towards a steady state, the amount of inert gas(es) in the admixture stream is reduced.

Abstract: A process for preparing a catalyst support or a supported Group VIII metal catalyst or a precusor of the supported Group VIII metal catalyst, which process comprises (a) exerting mechanical power on a mixture comprising a refractory oxide and a first liquid to obtain a dough, (b) admixing the dough with a second liquid to obtain a slurry, (c) shaping and drying the slurry, and (d) calcining.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of mainly C5+ hydrocarbons, which process involves contacting carbon monoxide and hydrogen at a temperature in the range of from about 180° C. to about 270° C. and elevated pressure in the presence of a catalyst composition having cobalt, manganese and at least one of rhenium and/or ruthenium on a titania carrier. The invention also relates to a catalyst composition having cobalt, manganese and rhenium on a titania carrier.

Abstract: A process for producing normally liquid hydrocarbon products from a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock, especially from normally gaseous hydrocarbon feed, having the following steps: (a) partial oxidation of the normally gaseous hydrocarbon feed at elevated pressure using air or oxygen enriched air as oxidant, to obtain a syngas mixture having hydrogen, carbon monoxide and nitrogen; (b) converting hydrogen and carbon monoxide obtained in step (a) into a normally liquid hydrocarbon product and a normally gaseous hydrocarbon product; (c) separating from the reaction mixture obtained in step (b) an off-gas mixture having nitrogen, normally gaseous hydrocarbon product, and unconverted hydrogen, carbon monoxide and normally gaseous hydrocarbon feed, insofar as such unconverted components are present; (d) combusting at least a part of the off-gas mixture in a steam raising apparatus, producing steam of an elevated pressure; and (e) expanding the steam produced in step (d) for compressing the air or oxygen enriched air and

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst or a precursor therefor in the form of a fixed arrangement, wherein the fixed arrangement comprises at least two layers, the first layer comprising as a catalytically active metal or precursor therefor rhodium or a rhodium compound and the second layer comprising as a catalytically active metal or precursor therefor iridium, osmium or platinum or a compound thereof. The invention also relates to catalyst particles or catalyst precursor particles comprising a first, outer layer comprising as a catalytically active metal or precursor therefor rhodium or a rhodium compound and a second layer comprising as a catalytically active metal or precursor therefor iridium, osmium or platinum or a compound thereof. The invention further relates to the use of the catalyst or the catalyst particles, especially in a process for the catalytic partial oxidation of a hydrocarboneous feedstock.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of mainly C5+ hydrocarbons, which process involves contacting carbon monoxide and hydrogen at a temperature in the range of from about 180° C. to about 270° C. and elevated pressure in the presence of a catalyst composition having cobalt, manganese and at least one of rhenium and/or ruthenium on a titania carrier. The invention also relates to a catalyst composition having cobalt, manganese and rhenium on a titania carrier.

Abstract: A process for producing normally liquid hydrocarbon products from a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock, especially from normally gaseous hydrocarbon feed, having the following steps: (a) partial oxidation of the normally gaseous hydrocarbon feed at elevated pressure using air or oxygen enriched air as oxidant, to obtain a syngas mixture having hydrogen, carbon monoxide and nitrogen; (b) converting hydrogen and carbon monoxide obtained in step (a) into a normally liquid hydrocarbon product and a normally gaseous hydrocarbon product; (c) separating from the reaction mixture obtained in step (b) an off-gas mixture having nitrogen, normally gaseous hydrocarbon product, and unconverted hydrogen, carbon monoxide and normally gaseous hydrocarbon feed, insofar as such unconverted components are present; (d) combusting at least a part of the off-gas mixture in a steam raising apparatus, producing steam of an elevated pressure; and (e) expanding the steam produced in step (d) for compressing the air or oxygen enriched air and

Abstract: A process for preparing a calcined zirconia extrudate comprising the steps of:

Abstract: A process for preparing a catalyst support or a supported Group VIII metal catalyst or a precusor of the supported Group VIII metal catalyst, which process comprises (a) exerting mechanical power on a mixture comprising a refractory oxide and a first liquid to obtain a dough, (b) admixing the dough with a second liquid to obtain a slurry, (c) shaping and drying the slurry, and (d) calcining.

Abstract: Process for producing normally liquid hydrocarbon products from a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock, especially from normally gaseous hydrocarbon feed, which process comprises the following steps: (a) partial oxidation of the normally gaseous hydrocarbon feed at elevated pressure using air or oxygen enriched air as oxidant, to obtain a syngas mixture comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and nitrogen; (b) converting hydrogen and carbon monoxide obtained in step (a) into a normally liquid hydrocarbon product and a normally gaseous hydrocarbon product; (c) separating from the reaction mixture obtained in step (b) an off-gas mixture comprising nitrogen, normally gaseous hydrocarbon product, and unconverted hydrogen, carbon monoxide and normally gaseous hydrocarbon feed, insofar as such unconverted components are present; (d) combusting at least a part of the off-gas mixture in a steam raising apparatus, producing steam of an elevated pressure; and (e) expanding the steam produced in step (d) for compressing the air or