Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts, more particularly to a cobalt-containing catalyst composition. The present invention further relates to a process for preparing a cobalt-containing catalyst precursor, a process for preparing a cobalt-containing catalyst, and a hydrocarbon synthesis process wherein such a catalyst is used. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cobalt-containing catalyst composition comprising cobalt and/or a cobalt compound supported on and/or in a silica (SiO2) catalyst support wherein the average pore diameter of the catalyst support is more than 20 nm but less than 50 nm; the catalyst composition also including a titanium compound on and/or in the catalyst support, and a manganese compound on and/or in the catalyst support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts, more particularly to a cobalt-containing catalyst composition. The present invention further relates to a process for preparing a cobalt-containing catalyst precursor, a process for preparing a cobalt-containing catalyst, and a hydrocarbon synthesis process wherein such a catalyst is used. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cobalt-containing catalyst composition comprising cobalt and/or a cobalt compound supported on and/or in a silica (SiO2) catalyst support wherein the average pore diameter of the catalyst support is more than 20 nm but less than 50 nm; the catalyst composition also including a titanium compound on and/or in the catalyst support, and a manganese compound on and/or in the catalyst support.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst includes, in a carbide formation step, treating an initial catalyst precursor comprising a catalyst support supporting cobalt and/or a cobalt compound, with a CO containing gas at a temperature T. T is from 200° C. to 280° C. The cobalt or cobalt compound is converted to cobalt carbide thereby obtaining a cobalt carbide containing catalyst precursor. The CO containing gas (when it contains H2) does not have a CO to H2 molar ratio equal to or less than 33:1. The carbide formation step is carried out under non-oxidative conditions. In a subsequent activation step, the cobalt carbide containing catalyst precursor is subjected to treatment with a hydrogen containing gas at a temperature T2. T2 is at least 300° C. The cobalt carbide is converted to cobalt metal thereby activating the cobalt carbide containing catalyst precursor and obtaining a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst includes calcining an initial catalyst precursor comprising a catalyst support supporting a cobalt compound, by heat treating the initial catalyst precursor under non-reducing conditions in order to decompose the cobalt compound and/or to cause the cobalt compound to react with oxygen, thereby to obtain a calcined initial catalyst precursor. A cobalt compound is introduced onto and/or into the calcined initial catalyst precursor so that the calcined initial catalyst precursor supports this cobalt compound thereby obtaining a subsequent catalyst precursor. The subsequent catalyst precursor is directly subjected to reduction conditions to activate the subsequent catalyst precursor, thereby to obtain a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst precursor includes calcining a loaded catalyst support comprising a catalyst support supporting a cobalt compound. The calcination includes subjecting the loaded catalyst support to heat treatment by heating the loaded catalyst support to a temperature, T, of at least 220° C. at a heating rate below 10° C./minute, and effecting gas flow at a space velocity of at least 9 m3n/kg cobalt compound/hour over the loaded catalyst support during at least part of the heating. The cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst precursor is thereby produced.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst includes, in a carbide formation step, treating an initial catalyst precursor comprising a catalyst support supporting cobalt and/or a cobalt compound, with a CO containing gas at a temperature T. T is from 200° C. to 280° C. The cobalt or cobalt compound is converted to cobalt carbide thereby obtaining a cobalt carbide containing catalyst precursor. The CO containing gas (when it contains H2) does not have a CO to H2 molar ratio equal to or less than 33:1. The carbide formation step is carried out under non-oxidative conditions. In a subsequent activation step, the cobalt carbide containing catalyst precursor is subjected to treatment with a hydrogen containing gas at a temperature T2. T2 is at least 300° C. The cobalt carbide is converted to cobalt metal thereby activating the cobalt carbide containing catalyst precursor and obtaining a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst includes calcining an initial catalyst precursor comprising a catalyst support supporting a cobalt compound, by heat treating the initial catalyst precursor under non-reducing conditions in order to decompose the cobalt compound and/or to cause the cobalt compound to react with oxygen, thereby to obtain a calcined initial catalyst precursor. A cobalt compound is introduced onto and/or into the calcined initial catalyst precursor so that the calcined initial catalyst precursor supports this cobalt compound thereby obtaining a subsequent catalyst precursor. The subsequent catalyst precursor is directly subjected to reduction conditions to activate the subsequent catalyst precursor, thereby to obtain a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst precursor includes calcining a loaded catalyst support comprising a catalyst support supporting a cobalt compound. The calcination includes subjecting the loaded catalyst support to heat treatment by heating the loaded catalyst support to a temperature, T, of at least 220° C. at a heating rate below 10° C./minute, and effecting gas flow at a space velocity of at least 9 m3n/kg cobalt compound/hour over the loaded catalyst support during at least part of the heating. The cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst precursor is thereby produced.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of a mixture of detergent-range alcohols having an average of between 8 and 20 carbon atoms per molecule. The process includes the steps of providing a hydrocarbon stream containing olefins and paraffins in which more than 5% by volume of olefin molecules in the hydrocarbon stream have a total number of carbon atoms which is different from the total number of carbon atoms of the most abundant two carbon numbers of olefins in the hydrocarbon stream; reacting the hydrocarbon stream with CO and an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst in a hydroesterification reaction to form a hydrocarbon stream containing esters and paraffins; separating esters from the hydrocarbon stream containing esters and paraffins; and subjecting the esters to a hydrogenation reaction to provide the mixed alcohol product.