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 catalyst support; 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 catalyst support; 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 precursor includes calcining a loaded catalyst support comprising a catalyst support supporting a cobalt compound. The calcination includes heating the loaded catalyst support over a heating temperature range of 90° C. to 220° C. using (i) one or more high heating rate periods during the heating over the heating temperature range wherein heating of the loaded catalyst support takes place at a heating rate of at least 10° C./minute, and wherein a gas velocity of at least 5 m3n/kg cobalt compound/hour is effected over the loaded catalyst support, and (ii) one or more low heating rate periods during the heating over the heating temperature range wherein heating of the loaded catalyst support takes place at a heating rate of less than 6° C./minute. The cobalt compound is thereby calcined, with a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst precursor being produced.

Abstract: A method of preparing a modified catalyst support comprises contacting a catalyst support material with a modifying component precursor in an impregnating liquid medium. The impregnating liquid medium comprises a mixture of water and an organic liquid solvent for the modifying component precursor. The mixture contains less than 17% by volume water based on the total volume of the impregnating liquid medium. The modifying component precursor comprises a compound of a modifying component selected from the group consisting of Si, Zr, Co, Ti, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ba, Ni, Al, Fe, V, Hf, Th, Ce, Ta, W, La and mixtures of two or more thereof. A modifying component containing catalyst support material is thus obtained. Optionally, the modifying component containing catalyst support material is calcined at a temperature above 100° C. to obtain a modified catalyst support.

Abstract: A method of preparing a modified catalyst support comprises preparing a titanium-containing catalyst support material by (i) contacting a catalyst support material with an organic titanium compound, or (ii) co-hydrolyzing a hydrolysable organic titanium compound and Al(OR?)3, with the titanium-containing catalyst support material then including Al, wherein all R? are the same or different and are each an organic group. The titanium-containing catalyst support material is calcined at a temperature above 900° C. to obtain a modified catalyst support which includes more than 1 wt % and less than 3.5 wt % Ti, based on the mass of the catalyst support material in the modified catalyst support, the Ti being present in the form of one or more titanium compounds.

Abstract: A method of preparing a modified catalyst support comprises contacting a catalyst support material with a modifying component precursor in an impregnating liquid medium. The impregnating liquid medium comprises a mixture of water and an organic liquid solvent for the modifying component precursor. The mixture contains less than 17% by volume water based on the total volume of the impregnating liquid medium. The modifying component precursor comprises a compound of a modifying component selected from the group consisting of Si, Zr, Co, Ti, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ba, Ni, Al, Fe, V, Hf, Th, Ce, Ta, W, La and mixtures of two or more thereof. A modifying component containing catalyst support material is thus obtained. Optionally, the modifying component containing catalyst support material is calcined at a temperature above 100° C. to obtain a modified catalyst support.

Abstract: A method of preparing a catalyst precursor comprises contacting a catalyst support material with a tungsten compound, to obtain a tungsten-containing catalyst support material. The tungsten-containing catalyst support material is calcined at a temperature above 900° C. to obtain a modified catalyst support. A precursor compound of an active catalyst component is introduced onto and/or into the modified catalyst support thereby to obtain a catalyst precursor.

Abstract: A method of preparing a modified catalyst support comprises contacting a catalyst support material with a modifying component precursor in an impregnating liquid medium. The impregnating liquid medium comprises a mixture of water and an organic liquid solvent for the modifying component precursor. The mixture contains less than 17% by volume water based on the total volume of the impregnating liquid medium. The modifying component precursor comprises a compound of a modifying component selected from the group consisting of Si, Zr, Co, Ti, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ba, Ni, Al, Fe, V, Hf, Th, Ce, Ta, W, La and mixtures of two or more thereof. A modifying component containing catalyst support material is thus obtained. Optionally, the modifying component containing catalyst support material is calcined at a temperature above 100° C. to obtain a modified catalyst support.

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 method of preparing a modified catalyst support comprises preparing a titanium-containing catalyst support material by (i) contacting a catalyst support material with an organic titanium compound, or (ii) co-hydrolysing a hydrolysable organic titanium compound and AI(OR?)3, with the titanium-containing catalyst support material then including Al, wherein all R? are the same or different and are each an organic group. The titanium-containing catalyst support material is calcined at a temperature above 900° C. to obtain a modified catalyst support which includes more than 1 wt % and less than 3.5 wt % Ti, based on the mass of the catalyst support material in the modified catalyst support, the Ti being present in the form of one or more titanium compounds.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrocarbons and, optionally, oxygenates of hydrocarbons is provided. A synthesis gas comprises hydrogen, carbon monoxide and N-containing contaminants selected from the group consisting of HCN, NH3, NO, RXNH3-X, R1—CN and heterocyclic compounds containing at least one nitrogen atom as a ring member of a heterocyclic ring of the heterocyclic compound. The N-containing contaminants constitute, in total, at least 100 vppb but less than 1 000 000 vppb of the synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is contacted at an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure, with a particulate supported Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst. The catalyst comprises a catalyst support, Co in catalytically active form supported on the catalyst support, and a dopant selected from the group consisting of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), ruthenium (Ru) and/or rhenium (Re). The dopant level is expressed by a formula. Hydrocarbons and, optionally, oxygenates of hydrocarbons are obtained.

Abstract: A method of preparing a modified catalyst support comprises contacting a catalyst support material with a modifying component precursor in an impregnating liquid medium. The impregnating liquid medium comprises a mixture of water and an organic liquid solvent for the modifying component precursor. The mixture contains less than 17% by volume water based on the total volume of the impregnating liquid medium. The modifying component precursor comprises a compound of a modifying component selected from the group consisting of Si, Zr, Co, Ti, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ba, Ni, Al, Fe, V, Hf, Th, Ce, Ta, W, La and mixtures of two or more thereof. A modifying component containing catalyst support material is thus obtained. Optionally, the modifying component containing catalyst support material is calcined at a temperature above 100° C. to obtain a modified catalyst support.

Abstract: A magnetometer which includes an elongate reactor in which a sample can be secured in a sample support zone and which is located within a magnetic field space of a magnetic field generator and one or more signal pickup coils. Movement generating means is provided for generating relative movement in a generally linear direction between the reactor and at least one of the magnetic field and pickup coil, preferably by moving the reactor in its length. The magnetometer is characterised in that the reactor is a metal tube having a length which permits its ends to remain external of the signal pickup device during the relative movement.

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 heating the loaded catalyst support over a heating temperature range of 90° C. to 220° C. using (i) one or more high heating rate periods during the heating over the heating temperature range wherein heating of the loaded catalyst support takes place at a heating rate of at least 10° C./minute, and wherein a gas velocity of at least 5 m3n/kg cobalt compound/hour is effected over the loaded catalyst support, and (ii) one or more low heating rate periods during the heating over the heating temperature range wherein heating of the loaded catalyst support takes place at a heating rate of less than 6° C./minute. The cobalt compound is thereby calcined, with a cobalt-containing hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst precursor being produced.

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 method of preparing a catalyst precursor comprises contacting a catalyst support material with a tungsten compound, to obtain a tungsten-containing catalyst support material. The tungsten-containing catalyst support material is calcined at a temperature above 900° C. to obtain a modified catalyst support. A precursor compound of an active catalyst component is introduced onto and/or into the modified catalyst support thereby to obtain a catalyst precursor.

Abstract: The invention provides an amorphous hydrocracking catalyst for conversion of a hydrocarbon feed having a fraction above the diesel boiling range to diesel and a process using said catalyst. The catalyst includes Al203—SiO2 support, a noble catalytically active metal which is active for hydrocracking of a hydrocarbon above the diesel boiling range and a transition metal oxide selected from group V, VI and VII.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrocarbons and, optionally, oxygenates of hydrocarbons is provided. A synthesis gas comprises hydrogen, carbon monoxide and N-containing contaminants selected from the group consisting of HCN, NH3, NO, RXNH3-X, R1—CN and heterocyclic compounds containing at least one nitrogen atom as a ring member of a heterocyclic ring of the heterocyclic compound. The N-containing contaminants constitute, in total, at least 100 vppb but less than 1 000 000 vppb of the synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is contacted at an elevated temperature and an elevated pressure, with a particulate supported Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst. The catalyst comprises a catalyst support, Co in catalytically active form supported on the catalyst support, and a dopant selected from the group consisting of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), ruthenium (Ru) and/or rhenium (Re). The dopant level is expressed by a formula. Hydrocarbons and, optionally, oxygenates of hydrocarbons are obtained.

Abstract: A magnetometer which includes an elongate reactor in which a sample can be secured in a sample support zone and which is located within a magnetic field space of a magnetic field generator and one or more signal pickup coils. Movement generating means is provided for generating relative movement in a generally linear direction between the reactor and at least one of the magnetic field and pickup coil, preferably by moving the reactor in its length. The magnetometer is characterised in that the reactor is a metal tube having a length which permits its ends to remain external of the signal pickup device during the relative movement.

Abstract: A particulate pre-reduction cobalt supported Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst precursor which comprises a catalyst support impregnated with cobalt, is treated with a pure hydrogen reducing gas, at a first specific feed gas space velocity, SV1, and at a first heating rate, HR1, to obtain a partially reduced precursor. The support contains reducible cobalt oxide in a calcined state and having a formula-unit in which each mole of cobalt atoms is associated with more than 4/3 moles of oxygen atoms and displaying a reducible cobalt oxide specific surface area at least equal to that of Co3O4 spinel. The partially reduced precursor is then treated with a pure hydrogen reducing gas, at a second specific feed gas space velocity, SV2, and at a second heating rate, HR2, to obtain an activated supported Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, with SV2?SV1 and/or HR2?HR1; however, when SV2=SV1, HR2?HR1 and when HR2=HR1, SV2?SV1.