Abstract: A catalyst carrier for insertion into a reactor tube of a tubular reactor comprises a container for holding catalyst and a seal for sealing between the container and the reactor tube. The seal comprises at least a first seal layer and a second seal layer each comprising a plurality of deflectable tongues separated by notches. The second seal layer is rotationally offset relative to the first seal layer such that the notches of the second seal layer are aligned with the deflectable tongues of the first seal layer.

Abstract: A catalyst carrier for insertion into a reactor tube of a tubular reactor that comprises a container containing particles of catalyst. The container further contains a compacting element for reducing fluidisation of the particles of catalyst.

Abstract: A process for synthesising hydrocarbons is described comprising the steps of (a) making a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from a feedstock in a synthesis gas generation unit, (b) removing carbon dioxide to produce a carbon dioxide stream and purified synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide for synthesis gas in a Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis unit wherein (i) at least a portion of the FT water stream is fed to an electrolysis unit to provide an oxygen stream, which is fed to the synthesis gas generation unit. Carbon dioxide stream recovered from the carbon dioxide removal unit and a portion of the hydrogen stream produced by the electrolysis unit are fed to a reverse water-gas shift unit to produce a carbon monoxide stream, with carbon monoxide stream from the reverse water-gas shift unit fed to the Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis unit.

Abstract: A reactor tube for a tubular reactor and a retaining device associated with the reactor tube; the reactor tube comprising an elongate tube defining a bore for receiving in use a catalyst and having an outlet at one end of the bore for discharging the catalyst out of the bore; the retaining device being configured to be rotatable between a first position and a second position; wherein in the first position the retaining device at least partially obstructs the outlet for retaining the catalyst within the bore; and in the second position the outlet is unobstructed sufficiently for permitting discharge of the catalyst out of the outlet.

Abstract: A method of installing a thermocouple in a reactor tube of a tubular reactor, comprising lowering a weighted tow line through a stack of catalyst carriers and using a tow line to pull the thermocouple down the reactor tube through inner channels of the stack of catalyst carriers into a desired installation position.

Abstract: A process for producing a gas stream comprising carbon monoxide comprising the steps of (a) feeding a gas mixture comprising carbon dioxide and hydrogen to a burner and combusting it with a sub-stoichiometric amount of an oxygen gas stream to form a combusted gas mixture comprising carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and steam, (b) passing the combusted gas mixture through a bed of reverse water-gas shift catalyst to form a crude product gas mixture containing carbon monoxide, steam, hydrogen and carbon dioxide, (c) cooling the crude product gas mixture to below the dew point and recovering a condensate to form a dewatered product gas, (d) removing carbon dioxide from the dewatered product gas in a carbon dioxide removal unit to form the gas stream comprising carbon monoxide, and (e) combining carbon dioxide recovered by the carbon dioxide removal unit with the gas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method of installing catalyst carriers into a first selected reactor tube of a tubular reactor. The method comprising the steps of: i) providing an installation tool, the installation tool comprising: a) an installation frame; b) a movable ram mounted to the installation frame and configured for pushing one or more catalyst carriers into the first selected reactor tube; and c) one or more anchors for releasably attaching the installation frame to the tubular reactor; ii) attaching the installation tool to the tubular reactor by engaging the one or more anchors in one or more reactor tubes located alongside the first selected reactor tube so as to align the movable ram with the first selected reactor tube; and iii) actuating the movable ram to push the one or more catalyst carriers into the first selected reactor tube.