Abstract: A cobalt catalyst precursor is described comprising cobalt oxide crystallites disposed within pores of a titania support, wherein the cobalt oxide crystallites have an average size as determined by XRD in the range 6 to 18 nm, and the titania support is a spherical titania support with a particle size in the range 100 to 1000 ?m, wherein the catalyst precursor has a pore volume of 0.2 to 0.6 cm3/g and an average pore diameter in the range 30 to 60 nm, and wherein the catalyst precursor has a ratio of the average cobalt oxide crystallite size to the average pore diameter in the range 0.1:1 to 0.6:1. The catalyst precursor may be reduced to provide catalysts suitable for use in Fisher-Tropsch reactions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst wherein from 15 to 40 mol. % of the cobalt thereon is in the form of cobalt oxide. The present invention also relates to a start-up process for a reduced-and-passivated cobalt-containing Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, wherein from 15 to 40 mol. % of the cobalt thereon is in the form of cobalt oxide and the reduced-and-passivated catalyst is activated by contacting the catalyst with a syngas stream.

Abstract: A cobalt catalyst precursor is described comprising cobalt oxide crystallites disposed within pores of a titania support, wherein the cobalt oxide crystallites have an average size as determined by XRD in the range 6 to 18 nm, and the titania support is a spherical titania support with a particle size in the range 100 to 1000 ?m, wherein the catalyst precursor has a pore volume of 0.2 to 0.6 cm3/g and an average pore diameter in the range 30 to 60 nm, and wherein the catalyst precursor has a ratio of the average cobalt oxide crystallite size to the average pore diameter in the range 0.1:1 to 0.6:1. The catalyst precursor may be reduced to provide catalysts suitable for use in Fisher-Tropsch reactions.

Abstract: A method for preparing a silica-modified catalyst support is described comprising: (i) applying an alkyl silicate solution to a porous support material in an amount to produce a silica content of the silica-modified catalyst support, expressed as Si, in the range 0.25 to 15% by weight, (ii) drying the resulting silicate-modified support and recovering a first alcoholic solution, (iii) optionally treating the dried silicate-modified support with water, drying the resulting water-treated support and recovering a second alcoholic solution, and (iv) calcining the dried material to form the silica-modified catalyst support, wherein the first alcoholic solution contains ?10 vol % water and at least a portion of the first alcoholic solution is mixed with alkyl silicate to form the alkyl silicate solution.

Abstract: A method for preparing a silica-modified catalyst support is described including: (i) applying an alkyl silicate to the surface of a porous support material in an amount to produce a silica content of the silica-modified catalyst support, expressed as Si, in the range 0.25 to 15% by weight, (ii) optionally drying the resulting silicate-modified support, (iii) treating the support with water, (iv) drying the resulting water-treated support, and (v) calcining the dried material to form the silica-modified catalyst support.

Abstract: A method for preparing a silica-modified catalyst support is described comprising: (i) applying an alkyl silicate solution to a porous support material in an amount to produce a silica content of the silica-modified catalyst support, expressed as Si, in the range 0.25 to 15% by weight, (ii) drying the resulting silicate-modified support and recovering a first alcoholic solution, (iii) optionally treating the dried silicate-modified support with water, drying the resulting water-treated support and recovering a second alcoholic solution, and (iv) calcining the dried material to form the silica-modified catalyst support, wherein the first alcoholic solution contains ?10 vol % water and at least a portion of the first alcoholic solution is mixed with alkyl silicate to form the alkyl silicate solution.

Abstract: A method for preparing a silica-modified catalyst support is described including: (i) applying an alkyl silicate to the surface of a porous support material in an amount to produce a silica content of the silica-modified catalyst support, expressed as Si, in the range 0.25 to 15% by weight, (ii) optionally drying the resulting silicate-modified support, (iii) treating the support with water, (iv) drying the resulting water-treated support, and (v) calcining the dried material to form the silica-modified catalyst support.

Abstract: A method for preparing a silica-modified catalyst support is described including: (I) applying an alkyl silicate to the surface of a porous support material in an amount to produce a silica content of the silica-modified catalyst support, expressed as Si, in the range 0.25 to 15% by weight, (ii) optionally drying the resulting silicate-modified support, (iii) treating the support with water, (iv) drying the resulting water-treated support, and (v) calcining the dried material to form the silica-modified catalyst support.

Abstract: A method for preparing a silica-modified catalyst support is described including: (I) applying an alkyl silicate to the surface of a porous support material in an amount to produce a silica content of the silica-modified catalyst support, expressed as Si, in the range 0.25 to 15% by weight, (ii) optionally drying the resulting silicate-modified support, (iii) treating the support with water, (iv) drying the resulting water-treated support, and (v) calcining the dried material to form the silica-modified catalyst support.