Abstract: A method for passivating low-alloy steel surfaces in apparatus operating in the temperature range 350 to 580° C. and exposed to a carbon monoxide containing gas mixture comprises adding a passivating compound containing at least one phosphorus (P) atom to the gas mixture. The gas mixture is preferably a reformed gas and also described is a process for producing a synthesis gas wherein, prior to cooling a reformed gas mixture to a temperature between 350 and 580° C. in apparatus having low-alloy steel surfaces downstream of one or more reforming steps, a passivating compound containing at least one phosphorus (P) atom is combined with the gas mixture.

Abstract: A process for the steam reforming of hydrocarbons comprises partially oxidising a feedgas comprising a hydrocarbon feedstock with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of steam to form a partially oxidised hydrocarbon gas mixture at a temperature >1200° C. and passing the resultant partially oxidised hydrocarbon gas mixture through a bed of steam reforming catalyst, wherein the bed comprises a first layer and a second layer, each layer comprising a catalytically active metal on an oxidic support wherein the oxidic support for the first layer is a zirconia.

Abstract: A process for production of hydrocarbons including a) reforming a divided hydrocarbon feedstock stream, mixing the first stream with steam, passing the mixture over a catalyst disposed in heated heat exchange reformer tubes to form a primary reformed gas, forming a secondary reformer feed stream including the primary reformed gas and the second hydrocarbon stream, partially combusting the secondary reformer feed stream and bringing the partially combusted gas towards equilibrium over a secondary catalyst, and producing a partially cooled reformed gas, b) further cooling the partially cooled reformed gas below the dew point of steam therein to condense water and separating condensed water to give a de-watered synthesis gas, c) synthesising hydrocarbons from the de-watered synthesis gas by the Fischer-Tropsch reaction and separating some of the synthesised hydrocarbons into a tail gas, and d) incorporating part of the tail gas into the secondary reformer feed stream before partial combustion thereof.

Abstract: A process for production of hydrocarbons including a) reforming a divided hydrocarbon feedstock stream, mixing the first stream with steam, passing the mixture over a catalyst disposed in heated heat exchange reformer tubes to form a primary reformed gas, forming a secondary reformer feed stream including the primary reformed gas and the second hydrocarbon stream, partially combusting the secondary reformer feed stream and bringing the partially combusted gas towards equilibrium over a secondary catalyst, and producing a partially cooled reformed gas, b) further cooling the partially cooled reformed gas below the dew point of steam therein to condense water and separating condensed water to give a de-watered synthesis gas, c) synthesising hydrocarbons from the de-watered synthesis gas by the Fischer-Tropsch reaction and separating some of the synthesised hydrocarbons into a tail gas, and d) incorporating part of the tail gas into the secondary reformer feed stream before partial combustion thereof.

Abstract: A method for reducing the interaction between carbon monoxide present in a heat exchange medium and metals on the shell side of heat exchange reformer apparatus used for reforming of hydrocarbons by treatment of the shell-side of said apparatus with an effective amount of at least one passivation compound containing at least one element selected from phosphorus, tin, antimony, arsenic, lead, bismuth, copper, germanium, silver or gold is described. Where volatile compounds are formed by the passivation compound, the method further comprises compound recovery to prevent contamination and deactivation of subsequent process steps. The method reduces side reactions, provides improved reformer tube lifetime and allows tubes to be treated in-situ without the need for process shutdown.

Abstract: Desulphurization of a hydrocarbon feedstock by subjecting a portion of said feedstock to a pre-treatment step of partial oxidation, optionally in the presence of a catalyst, or adiabatic low temperature catalytic steam reforming, thereby forming a gas stream containing hydrogen, and then passing the resultant hydrogen-containing pre-treated gas stream, together with the remainder, of said hydrocarbon feedstock, through a bed of a hydro-desulphurization catalyst and then through a bed of a particulated absorbent capable of absorbing hydrogen sulphide.

Abstract: An oxidation catalyst composition comprises an intimate mixture of oxides of praseodymium, at least one nonvariable valency Group IIIa element, and, optionally zirconium, said composition containing a total of 5-50% of praseodymium atoms, 0-45% of zirconium atoms, and 20-95% of said non-variable valency Group IIIa element atoms, said percentages being based upon the total number of praseodymium, zirconium, and non-variable valency Group IIIa element atoms in said intimate mixture.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for use as oxidation catalysts essentially free from elements, or compounds thereof, of Group VIII of the Periodic Table, comprise an intimate mixture of oxides of at least three elements selected from Groups IIIa and IVa of the Periodic Table, including, of the total number of Group IIIa and IVa element atoms present, a) a total of at least 60% of atoms of at least one element X selected from cerium, zirconium, and hafnium, b) a total of at least 5% of atoms of at least one other element Y different from element X and selected from the variable valency elements titanium, cerium, praseodymium, and terbium; and c) a total of at least 5% of atoms of at least one element Z differing from X and Y and selected from Group IIIa elements. Such composition, and similar two component compositions wherein X and Y are both cerium, have, after heating for 8 hours at 1200.degree. C., a BET surface area of at least 1 m.sup.2 .multidot.g.sup.

Abstract: A combustion process, e.g. for a gas turbine, comprises catalytically combusting part of a fuel/air feed in a preliminary catalyst body which has through passages and supports, or is composed of, a catalyst active for the combustion of the fuel. The resultant heated gas stream is then mixed with the remainder of the feed, and that mixture is combusted, e.g. catalytically in a main catalyst body. The amount of combustion occurring in the preliminary catalyst body is sufficient that combustion of the mixture of the heated gas stream and the remainder of the feed can be sustained at the desired operating conditions. Under those desired operating conditions combustion of the feed could not be sustained in the absence of the heating given by the combustion in the preliminary catalyst body. There may be more than one preliminary catalyst body.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for use as oxidation catalysts essentially free from elements, or compounds thereof, of Group VIII of the Periodic Table, comprise an intimate mixture of oxides of at least three elements selected from Groups IIIa and IVa of the Periodic Table, including, of the total number of Group IIIa and IVa element atoms present, a) a total of at least 60% of atoms of at least one element X selected from cerium, zirconium, and hafnium, b) a total of at least 5% of atoms of at least one other element Y different from element X and selected from the variable valency elements titanium, cerium, praseodymium, and terbium; and c) a total of at least 5% of atoms of at least one element Z differing from X and Y and selected from Group IIIa elements.Such compositions, and similar two component compositions wherein X and Y are both cerium, have, after heating for 8 hours at 1200.degree. C., a BET surface area of at least 1 m.sup.2.g.sup.