Abstract: A system for a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis using a three-phase reactor in which a primary filter removes coarse catalyst particles from the product and in which catalyst fines are removed in a secondary filter. Some or all portion of the product wax from the secondary filter can be recycled back to the reactor, either as a back flush medium for the primary filter or directly to the slurry in the reactor, whereby removal of catalyst fines is rendered independent of the rate of wax production.

Abstract: A slurry bubble column reactor with a gas distribution arrangement comprising an upper sparger, a lower sparger, and an open-ended tube. Gas from the lower sparger enters the tube and lowers the density of slurry in the tube. The difference in slurry density causes the slurry in the tube to rise, causing slurry outside the tube to move down, maintaining circulation and flushing catalyst from the vessel wall.

Abstract: A system for a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis using a three-phase reactor in which a primary filter removes coarse catalyst particles from the product and in which catalyst fines are removed in a secondary filter. Some or all portion of the product wax from the secondary filter can be recycled back to the reactor, either as a back flush medium for the primary filter or directly to the slurry in the reactor, whereby removal of catalyst fines is rendered independent of the rate of wax production.

Abstract: A slurry bubble column reactor with a gas distribution arrangement comprising an upper sparger, a lower sparger, and an open-ended tube. Gas from the lower sparger enters the tube and lowers the density of slurry in the tube. The difference in slurry density causes the slurry in the tube to rise, causing slurry outside the tube to move down, maintaining circulation and flushing catalyst from the vessel wall.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the separation of liquid from a three phase slurry bubble column. The method includes the step of charging the inside of a hollow filter element with a rinsing fluid to clean the inside of the filter for catalyst fines followed by a backflushing step. The invention also provides an installation for the separation of liquid from a three phase slurry bubble column. The installation includes at least one hollow and enclosed filter element and one or more conduits in fluid communication with the internal volume of filter, with at least one conduit being configured or connected for inflow of rinsing fluid and at least one conduit being configured or connected for outflow of rinsing fluid.

Abstract: A method for autothermal or substantially autothermal catalytic dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons is described. A hydrocarbon containing feed gas is optionally mixed with steam and/or hydrogen, is pre-heated and is introduced into a catalytic bed of a reactor, where an oxygen containing gas is fed directly into the catalytic bed from one or more oxygen supply tube(s) (3) each tube (3) having one or more opening(s) distributed in the catalytic bed.

Abstract: A reactor for catalytic dehydrogenation of dehydrogenatable hydrocarbons, in particular C.sub.3 and/or C.sub.4 hydrocarbons, in a hydrocarbon-containing stream, with selective oxidation of hydrogen. The reactor comprises serially connected in the flow direction of the hydrocarbon-containing stream: a first catalyst zone (2), an oxygen admixing zone (3) provided with a means (5) for separate feeding of an oxygen-containing gas into the hydrocarbon-containing stream, and a second catalyst zone (4). The oxygen admixing zone (3) has a cross section area in the flow direction of the hydrocarbon-containing stream which is from 0.5% to 75% of the cross section area of each of the two catalysts zones (2, 4), so as to obtain a higher flow velocity in the oxygen-admixing zone (3) than in the catalyst zones.