Abstract: A process for the distillation of a hydrocarbon mixture, which mixture has been prepared by a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, comprises supplying the hydrocarbon mixture to a wiped film evaporator and recovering a first fraction having a low boiling point range and a narrow melting point range as the light product from the evaporator and recovering a second fraction having a high boiling point range and a wider melting point range as the heavy product of the evaporator. The process is particularly suitable for the distillation of hydrocarbons having a carbon number of C.sub.20 or greater.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are prepared from a feed gas of hydrogen and carbon monoxide by feeding the feed gas into a reaction zone at an elevated temperature and pressure and allowing the hydrogen and carbon monoxide to react in the presence of a catalyst retained in the reaction zone to yield hydrocarbons. A reservoir of a hydrogen-rich gas is maintained at a pressure above the pressure of the feed gas, the reservoir and the reaction zone being connected in such a way that a continuous flow of hydrogen-rich gas is maintained from the reservoir into the reaction zone. A reactor in use in the preparation is shutdown by interrupting the feeding of the feed gas, thereby allowing hydrogen-rich gas to flow from the reservoir at increased rate and quench the reactions occurring in the reaction zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of hydrocarbons by a catalytic reaction of a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, comprising the steps of:(i) providing a gas mixture comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen;(ii) washing the mixture with an aqueous solution for the removal of impurities from the mixture;(iii) removing the washing solution containing the impurities from the mixture;(iv) contacting the washed mixture with a catalyst whereby hydrocarbons and reaction water are formed;(v) separating the reaction water from the hydrocarbons; and(vi) using reaction water as aqueous solution in washing step (ii)and to hydrocarbons obtained therewith.