Liquid Phase Fischer-tropsch Reaction Patents (Class 518/700)
  • Publication number: 20090298957
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for combined production of hydrogen and carbon dioxide from a mixture of hydrocarbons wherein the residual PSA is treated to produce a carbon dioxide-enriched fluid, and wherein: the residual PSA is compressed to a pressure such that the partial pressure of the CO<SUB>2</SUB> contained ranges between about 15 and 40 bar; the residue is subjected to one or more condensation/separation steps with production of CO<SUB>2</SUB>-rich condensate(s) and a purge of noncondensable gas; the purge of noncondensable gas is preferably treated to produce a H<SUB>2</SUB>-rich permeate which is recycled to the PSA, and a residue which is recycled to syngas generation, Preferably, the condensate(s) are purified by cryogenic distillation to produce food grade CO<SUB>2</SUB>. The invention also concerns an installation for implementing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Pierre-Robert Gauthier, Bernd Polster, Pascal Marty
  • Publication number: 20090292030
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a synthesis gas suitable for feeding to a suitable hydrocarbon production reactor, such as a Fischer Tropsch reactor is described. According to one aspect, the process and apparatus utilize heat exchangers that thermally integrate the reaction steps such that heat generated by exothermic reactions, e.g., combustion, are arranged closely to the heat sinks, e.g., cool methane, water and air, to minimize heat loss and maximize heat recovery. Effectively, this thermal integration eliminates excess piping throughout, reduces initial capital and operating costs, provides built-in passive temperature control, and improves synthesis gas production efficiencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel Glenn Casey, Lixin You, Curtis Lee Krause, Kevin Hoa Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20090286889
    Abstract: An integrated coal-to-liquids process is provided to minimize carbon dioxide emissions and efficiently make use of carbon resources, by recovering carbon dioxide emissions from Coal-to-Liquids (CTL) facilities, using the recovered carbon dioxide in at least one carbonylation reaction step for converting ammonia to urea and then converting urea into dimethyl carbonate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: ACCELERGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rocco A. Fiato
  • Patent number: 7619012
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting carbonaceous material to a stream of methane and carbon monoxide rich gas by heating the carbonaceous material in a fluidized bed reactor using hydrogen, as fluidizing medium, and using steam, under reducing conditions at a temperature and pressure sufficient to generate a stream of methane and carbon monoxide rich gas but at a temperature low enough and/or at a pressure high enough to enable the carbonaceous material to be fluidized by the hydrogen. In particular embodiments, the carbonaceous material is fed as a slurry feed, along with hydrogen, to a kiln type reactor before being fed to the fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Joseph M. Norbeck, Chan Seung Park, Surinder P. Singh
  • Patent number: 7619011
    Abstract: A method for determining optimum catalyst particle size for a gas-solid, liquid-solid, or gas-liquid-solid fluidized bed reactor such as a slurry bubble column reactor (SBCR) for converting synthesis gas into liquid fuels considers the complete granular temperature balance based on the kinetic theory of granular flow, the effect of a volumetric mass transfer coefficient between the liquid and the gas, and the water gas shift reaction. The granular temperature of the catalyst particles representing the kinetic energy of the catalyst particles is measured and the volumetric mass transfer coefficient between the gas and liquid phases is calculated using the granular temperature. Catalyst particle size is varied from 20 ?m to 120 ?m and a maximum mass transfer coefficient corresponding to optimum liquid hydrocarbon fuel production is determined. Optimum catalyst particle size for maximum methanol production in a SBCR was determined to be in the range of 60-70 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Isaac K. Gamwo, Dimitri Gidaspow, Jonghwun Jung
  • Patent number: 7615578
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making a methanol product from a synthesis gas (syngas) feed using a fast fluid bed reactor. The reactor is operated at substantially plug flow type behavior. The heat from circulated catalyst is sufficient to initiate the reaction process with little to no preheating of feed required. In addition, little if any internal reactor cooling is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Lattner
  • Patent number: 7612118
    Abstract: A method is provided for quenching a slurry in a slurry vessel of slurry phase apparatus which comprises a gas distributor arranged to inject a gas into the slurry at a predetermined level, and an apertured solid particles support below the level at which the gas distributor is disposed to inject the gas. The method includes introducing a quenching liquid into the slurry vessel below the apertured support and passing the quenching liquid into the slurry through the apertures of the apertured support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: SASOL Technology (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: André Peter Steynberg
  • Patent number: 7605187
    Abstract: A process for temporarily interrupting a Fischer-Tropsch type reaction carried out on a feed comprising at least carbon monoxide and hydrogen is carried out in a three-phase reaction zone comprising a liquid phase, a gas phase and solid catalyst particles maintained in suspension, said process comprising a step a) for interrupting the reaction and a step b) for restarting said reaction, during which the solid catalyst particles are maintained in suspension in the reaction zone; a) during the step for interrupting the reaction, supply of the feed is stopped, and a blanket of an inhibiting gas comprising less than 1% by volume of hydrogen and at least 5% by volume of at least one inhibiting compound selected from the group formed by carbon monoxide and water is established; and b) during the reaction restart step, in the reaction zone, a blanket of an activating gas with a hydrogen content of at least 20% by volume is established and supply of the feed is restarted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignees: Institut Francais du Petrol, ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marie Claire Marion, Francois Hugues
  • Publication number: 20090253814
    Abstract: The invention relates to a compact reactor that consists of a number of plates that are arranged like stacks and spaced some distance apart, whereby a) The plates are separated by spacers and are sealed off from one another in a gas-tight manner, b) The plates are profiled in the shape of waves, so that flow channels are formed by the wave troughs that are separated from one another by the wave crests (fins), c) The flow channels run parallel to one another and parallel to one side of the plate, d) The flow channels at least partially contain at least one catalyst material that is introduced such that gaseous and/or liquid media can flow through the flow channels, and e) The compact reactor has means (headers) for feeding at least two gaseous and/or liquid media to the flow channels or removing them therefrom. The invention also relates to the use of a compact reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Nicole Schodel, Bruno Nowakowski, Thomas Hecht, Wolfgang Muller, Herbert Aigner, Stephanie Neuendorf
  • Publication number: 20090239960
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a carbon to liquids system are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Steven Wallace, Arnaldo Frydman
  • Publication number: 20090239959
    Abstract: A method of operating a carbon-to-liquids system is provided. The method includes receiving a flow of syngas at the carbon-to-liquids system, shifting the syngas to facilitate increasing a hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio (H2/CO) of the syngas, adding additional hydrogen to the shifted syngas to increase the H2/CO ratio, reacting the hydrogen/shifted syngas mixture with a catalyst in a vessel, extracting hydrogen from the syngas mixture, recycling the hydrogen to facilitate increasing the H2/CO ratio, and recycling naphta to act as solvent for wax extraction, and to facilitate catalyst recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Steven Wallace, Arnaldo Frydman
  • Patent number: 7585899
    Abstract: The present invention includes a catalyst structure and method of making the catalyst structure for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis that both rely upon the catalyst structure having a first porous structure with a first pore surface area and a first pore size of at least about 0.1 ?m, preferably from about 10 ?m to about 300 ?m. A porous interfacial layer with a second pore surface area and a second pore size less than the first pore size is placed upon the first pore surface area. Finally, a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst selected from the group consisting of cobalt, ruthenium, iron and combinations thereof is placed upon the second pore surface area. Further improvement is achieved by using a microchannel reactor wherein the reaction chamber walls define a microchannel with the catalyst structure placed therein through which pass reactants. The walls may separate the reaction chamber from at least one cooling chamber. The present invention also includes a method of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Yong Wang, David P. Vanderwiel, Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Yufei Gao, Eddie G. Baker
  • Publication number: 20090221720
    Abstract: Processes for making hydrogen and optionally carbon monoxide and their integrations in a Carbon-to-Liquids plant are disclosed. A first syngas produced by a first syngas generator is converted in a hydrocarbon synthesis process to hydrocarbon products, oxygenates and product water comprising dissolved oxygenates. The first syngas generator may use partial oxidation, reforming, gasifying, or pyrolysis of any solid, liquid or gaseous carbonaceous feedstock. The product water may be treated, for example by distillation and/or by stripping, to form an oxygenates-rich stream which comprises a reforming reactant and oxygenates originating from the product water. Oxygenates from the oxygenates-rich stream fed to a second syngas generator are converted under reforming conditions to form at least hydrogen. The hydrogen formed by reforming may be supplied to one or more units using hydrogen within a Carbon-to-Liquids plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Barbara A. Belt, Sara Irina Kopponen, Ralph T. Goodwin, III, Mariella L. Raven, Blaine E. Beck
  • Publication number: 20090215911
    Abstract: The present invention is a structured monolith reactor and method that provides for controlled Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. The invention controls mass transport limitations leading to higher CO conversion and lower methane selectivity. Over 95 wt % of the total product liquid hydrocarbons obtained from the monolithic catalyst are in the carbon range of C5-C18. The reactor controls readsorption of olefins leading to desired products with a preselected chain length distribution and enhanced overall reaction rate. And, liquid product analysis shows readsorption of olefins is reduced, achieving a narrower FT product distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yong Wang, Wei Liu
  • Patent number: 7579383
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making a methanol product from a synthesis gas (syngas) feed using a fluid bed reactor. Internal reactor heat transfer is balanced between feed preheat and catalyst bed temperature using appropriate backmixing of feed and catalyst. Backmixing can be appropriately controlled using a number of control points, including any one or more of superficial gas velocity, catalyst density in the reactor, reactor height to diameter ratio (preferably at least in the region of the dense catalyst bed), and catalyst particle size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Lattner
  • Patent number: 7579382
    Abstract: Process for the charging of a catalyst and for the running of a reactor in which reactions take place in multiphase systems, wherein a gaseous phase prevalently consisting of CO and H2 is bubbled into a suspension of a solid in the form of particles (catalyst) in a liquid (prevalently reaction product), according to the Fischer-Tropsch technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignees: ENI S.p.A., Institut Francais du Petrole, Enitecnologie S.p.A.
    Inventors: Cristina Maretto, Giovanni Pederzani
  • Patent number: 7560495
    Abstract: To facilitate operation of a facility for chemical conversion of a feed that comprises a reactor (2) containing a slurry constituted by at least one suspension of at least one solid in a liquid, a gas supply, and a circuit that is external of the reactor, for continuous movement of a slurry stream, wherein the external circuit withdraws slurry from the reactor from at least one point (A) and re-introduces at least a portion of the slurry at at least one other point (B), the facility is further provided with means for stopping circulation of the slurry in the circuit; means for pressurized introduction of at least one fluid for draining the slurry contained in the circuit; and means for circulating the slurry in the external circuit under conditions such that the Reynolds number is more than 2500.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Schweitzer, Eric Lenglet, Franck Gaviot-Blanc
  • Publication number: 20090176895
    Abstract: Multi-tubular reactors for fluid processing incorporate reactor tubes containing thermally conductive monolithic catalyst structures with relative dimensions and thermal expansion characteristics effective to establish both a non-interfering or slidably interfering fit between the monolith structures and the reactor tubes at selected monolith mounting temperatures, and geometries at reactor operating temperatures such that the operating gaps between tubes and monoliths under the conditions of reactor operation do not exceed about 250 ?m over tube sections where high heat flux to or from the monoliths is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Amsden, Gildas Boulc'h, Achim K. Heibel, Neil E. Partridge
  • Publication number: 20090172996
    Abstract: A method of producing fuel by converting an alcohol stream comprising at least one alcohol into synthesis gas; providing a first synthesis gas stream, wherein at least a portion of the first synthesis gas stream comprises synthesis gas obtained from the alcohol conversion; converting a feed comprising synthesis gas via Fischer-Tropsch into a Fischer-Tropsch product comprising hydrocarbons, wherein at least a portion of the feed comprises synthesis gas from the first synthesis gas stream; and converting at least a portion of the Fischer-Tropsch product into fuel. A diesel fuel comprising hydrocarbons formed by Fischer-Tropsch conversion of synthesis gas derived from an alcohol stream comprising at least one alcohol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: RENTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis Yakobson, Harold A. Wright, Richard Penning
  • Publication number: 20090176894
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a process for the synthesis of hydrocarbons based on a synthesis gas type feedstock in which said synthesis gas is brought into contact with a catalyst in a reactor under Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions and in which the partial pressure of water is controlled in order to keep it below a critical value ppH2Olimit defined by the formula: ppH2Olimit=exp(?7751/dp·T)·Ps(T) where T is the reaction temperature in K, dp is the average diameter of the catalyst pores in nm, determined by nitrogen adsorption-desorption (BJH method), Ps(T) is the saturating water vapour pressure at temperature T, in bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Marie-Claire MARION, Francois Hugues, Magalie Roy-Auberger
  • Publication number: 20090170963
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process in term of selectivity and catalyst activity and operating life for the conversion of hydrocarbons to ethanol and optionally acetic acid in the presence of a particulate catalyst, said conversion proceeding via a syngas generation intermediate step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Martin Philip Atkins
  • Publication number: 20090170964
    Abstract: A fixed bed membrane reactor is disclosed. The reactor has a housing including an inlet for receiving reactants and an outlet for discharging retentate streams of reaction products. The inlet and outlet are in fluid communication with a reaction zone in which the reactants may passe downstream from the inlet to the outlet with the reactants reacting to produce reaction products including water. The reactor further includes a membrane assembly disposed in fluid communication with the reaction zone. The membrane assembly includes at least one porous support with a water permselective membrane affixed thereto. The membrane allows water produced in the reaction zone to be selectively removed from the reaction zone as a permeate stream while allowing retentate reaction products to remain in the reaction zone and be discharged as a retentate stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Babak Fayyaz Najafi, Charles Leonard Kibby, Steven Xuqi Song, Daniel Chinn
  • Publication number: 20090170965
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting syngas to Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) hydrocarbon products. A synthesis gas including carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas is provided to a F-T reactor. Also, acetylene is supplied to the F-T reactor. The ratio of the volume of acetylene to the volume of synthesis gas is at least 0.01. The synthesis gas and acetylene are reacted under suitable reaction conditions and in the presence of a catalyst to produce F-T hydrocarbon products. The F-T hydrocarbon products are then recovered from the reactor. The synthesis gas and acetylene may be provided in a combined feed stream or introduced separately into the reactor. The acetylene enhanced syngas conversion in a F-T reactor results in the synthesis of F-T products which have a tighter distribution of intermediate length carbon products than do F-T products synthesized according to conventional methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Charles Leonard Kibby, Minquan Cheng
  • Patent number: 7550515
    Abstract: Process for the running of a reactor in which reactions take place in multiphase systems, wherein a gaseous phase prevalently consisting of CO and H2 is bubbled into a suspension of a solid in the form of particles (catalyst) in a liquid (prevalently reaction product), according to the Fischer-Tropsch technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignees: ENI S.p.A., Institut Francais du Petrole, Enitecnologie S.p.A.
    Inventors: Cristina Maretto, Giovanni Pederzani
  • Publication number: 20090143491
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for modifying a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst or catalyst precursor, the process comprising the steps of: contacting a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst or catalyst precursor comprising a titania carrier with a compound having the general formula RaX(4-a)Y wherein a is in the range of 1-3, and wherein the or each R is independently an alkyl or aryl group; Y is silicon or titanium, and, the or each X is independently chosen from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkoxy group and ZY?BB?B2?, Z being oxygen, —NH, or —NR, wherein R is an alkyl or aryl group comprising 1 to 8 carbon atoms, Y? being silicon or titanium, and B, B? and B2 ,independently being hydrogen or an alkyl, aryl, or alkoxy group. In a preferred embodiment the compound RaX(4-a)Y is hexamethyldisilazane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Peter John VAN DEN BRINK, Hendrik Albertus Colijn, Thomas Joris Remans
  • Publication number: 20090111898
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the production of liquid hydrocarbons by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on solid catalyst particles in a three-phase bed reactor, the apparatus being provided with at least one filter cartridge mounted in a filtration zone in the interior of said reactor, the filter cartridge comprising: a filter intended to separate the filtrate from the solid catalyst particles, a cylindrical casing, an internal element in the form of a hollow cylinder open at its ends and mounted in substantially coaxial relationship with the longitudinal axis of the casing, an annular chamber delimited by the casing and the walls of the internal element, said chamber being intended to collect the filtrate, and a conduit for discharge of said filtrate, wherein the walls of the internal element of the filter cartridge are at least in part formed by the filter of the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicants: INSTITUT FRANCAIS DU PETROLE, ENI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Nathalie Brunard, Jean-Marc Schweitzer
  • Patent number: 7517916
    Abstract: A process to make ethylene and/or propylene from methane comprises preparing a gaseous mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen from methane, performing a Fischer Tropsch synthesis using the gaseous mixture to obtain a Fischer Tropsch product having a 50 wt % recovery point above 250° C., evaporating a part of the Fischer Tropsch product in the presence of a dilution gas comprising the unconverted carbon monoxide and hydrogen from the Fischer Tropsch synthesis step and carbon dioxide into a gas and a liquid fraction and separating the liquid fraction from the remaining gas fraction, further heating the gas fraction and subjecting the gas fraction to a thermal cracking step, isolating a mixture of methane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen from the cracked gases, and recycling the mixture of methane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen to the step of preparing a gaseous mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Jan Lodewijk Maria Dierickx
  • Publication number: 20090090057
    Abstract: A novel method of combining the CTL fuel plant and IGCC electrical plant by sharing the systems of coal intake, coal preparation, gas separation, and water units is described herein. This configuration allows for the combined facility to offer advantages in efficiencies of production, operational flexibility, scalability, and reliability by a multi-path integration of the processing units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: RENTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Regnery, Richard O. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 7511184
    Abstract: The invention relates to a molecular sieve catalyst composition, to a method of making or forming the molecular sieve catalyst composition, and to a conversion process using the catalyst composition. In particular, the invention is directed to a molecular sieve catalyst composition of a molecular sieve, a binder and a matrix material, wherein the weight ratio of the binder to the molecular sieve is controlled to provide an improved attrition resistant catalyst composition, particularly useful in a conversion process for producing olefin(s), preferably ethylene and/or propylene, from a feedstock, preferably an oxygenate containing feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Yun-feng Chang, Stephen N. Vaughn, Luc R. M. Martens, Kenneth R. Clem
  • Patent number: 7501456
    Abstract: A process for converting methane to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons comprises: (A) reforming methane by catalytic reaction with steam at elevated temperature to generate carbon monoxide and hydrogen; (B) subjecting the mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen to a Fischer-Tropsch reaction to generate one or more higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and water; and C) extracting or removing one or more oxygenates from the water. The oxygenates are either or both: on start-up of the process, catalytically combusted to provide heat for step (A), and replaced at least in part with methane from tail gas from step (B) when the temperature attains or exceeds the combustion temperature of methane; and/or used as a fuel-enhancer for tail gas from step (B) for steady-state heat provision in step (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: CompactGTL PLC
    Inventors: David James West, Michael Joseph Bowe
  • Patent number: 7501019
    Abstract: A granular solid wax particle comprising a highly paraffinic wax having a low T10 boiling point less than 427° C. and an inorganic powder coating; optionally with a layer of higher boiling wax over the highly paraffinic wax having a low T10 boiling point, and an inorganic powder coating over the layer of higher boiling wax. In separate embodiments, a highly paraffinic wax having a T10 boiling point less than 427° C. or a highly paraffinic wax having a needle penetration greater than 3 mm/10 at 25° C. is coated with a powder that adsorbs the wax without being encapsulated by the wax in a hot drop wax test. Also, a process for transporting highly paraffinic wax having a T10 boiling point less than 427° C. as granular solid wax particles. And, a method of making base oil from granular solid wax particles transported from a distant location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Gunther H. Dieckmann, Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Patent number: 7498016
    Abstract: A method for the production of syngas from methanol feedstock is disclosed. The methanol feed (110) is supplied to a partial oxidation reactor (112) with oxygen (114) and optionally steam (116) to yield a mixed stream (118) of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide (122) is separated out and the hydrogen and carbon monoxide mixture (124) is fed to a cold box (126) where it is separated into hydrogen-rich and carbon monoxide-rich streams (130, 128). The separated carbon dioxide (122) can be recycled back to the partial oxidation reactor (112) as a temperature moderator if desired. The carbon monoxide-rich stream (128) can be reacted with methanol (134) in an acetic acid synthesis unit (132) by a conventional process to produce acetic acid (136) or an acetic acid precursor. Optionally, an ammonia synthesis unit (144) and/or vinyl acetate monomer synthesis unit (156) can be integrated into the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Acetex (Cyprus) Limited
    Inventor: Daniel Marcel Thiebaut
  • Publication number: 20090048353
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst comprising a preferably oxidic, core material, a shell of zinc oxide around said core material, and a catalytically active material in or on the shell, based on one or more of the metals cobalt, iron, ruthenium and/or nickel, preferably a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, to the preparation of such a catalyst and the use thereof in GTL processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: BASF CATALYSTS LLC
    Inventors: Cornelis Roeland Baijense, Geoffrey Johnson, Ahmad Moini
  • Patent number: 7491750
    Abstract: An improved Method for the separation of catalyst particles and the wax product from the output slurry of a Fischer-Tropsch bubble column reactor comprising the contact of a hydrocarbon solvent from a cyclic solvent stream with the slurry, wherein the solvent is a hydrocarbon fraction which is pressurized and heated to its supercritical state and the temperature and the pressure of the solvent at the supercritical state are similar to those of the F-T reactor. After the separating of the catalyst from the hydrocarbon mixture of the solvent and the slurry in a catalyst separation section the hydrocarbon solvent and the wax product are separated, whereby the recovered solvent phase is lead to the cyclic solvent stream; which is used after re-pressurizing and re-heating in a supercritical solvent supply module to recycling the hydrocarbon solvent for the contact step. A system for carrying out the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI)
    Inventors: Hamid Reza Khakdaman, Bahman Amini Horri, Hossein Manafi Varkiani, Sasan Sadraei Noori, Khairolah Jafari Jozani
  • Publication number: 20090038316
    Abstract: An integrated process wherein a CO2-free fuel gas is produced from steam reforming a carbonaceous material and sent to a gas turbine which is associated with an electrical generator. The CO2 produced during the steam reforming of the carbonaceous material is passed to a second steam reforming zone where it is mixed with a second carbonaceous feed to produce a syn-gas that is used to produce ethylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: International Financial Services #1, LLC
    Inventor: Stanley R. Pearson
  • Patent number: 7488760
    Abstract: Gaseous reactants (18) are fed into a slurry bed (14) of solid catalyst particles in a liquid. The reactants react as they pass upwardly through the bed, thereby forming liquid and gaseous products. In a primary filtration stage (30), the liquid product passes through a filtering medium having filtering openings, which have a controlling dimension of x microns, so that large catalyst particles greater than x microns are removed. A primary filtrate containing near-size and fine catalyst particles is subjected to secondary filtration (64) to remove near-size particles. A cake of catalyst particles forms on the filtering medium. The passage of liquid product through the filtering medium is interrupted, and the filtering medium is backflushed by passing secondary filtrate through it in a reverse direction, to dislodge the cake from the filtering medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Proprietary) (Limited)
    Inventor: Alex Philip Vogel
  • Publication number: 20090023821
    Abstract: Gasses containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen are converted into hydrocarbons using a reactor vessel having a liquid, a catalyst dispersed in the liquid, and a sonic mixing system interfaced with the reactor vessel. The sonic mixing system is used to agitate the mixture. In combination with the catalysts, the agitation increases reaction kinetics, thereby promoting chemical reactions used to efficiently convert gasses containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen into hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: William J. Quapp, Jeffrey E. Surma, James A. Batdorf
  • Publication number: 20090018220
    Abstract: A process for synthesising methanol comprises the steps of: (i) reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock and separating water to generate a make-up gas comprising hydrogen and carbon oxides, the make-up gas mixture having a stoichiometric number, R, R=([H2]?[CO2])/([CO2]+[CO]) of less than 2.0, (ii) combining the make up gas with an unreacted synthesis gas to form a synthesis gas mixture, (iii) passing the synthesis gas through a bed of methanol synthesis catalyst to generate a product stream, (iv) cooling the product stream to recover a crude methanol stream from the unreacted synthesis gas, (v) removing a portion of the unreacted synthesis gas as a purge gas, and (vi) feeding the remaining unreacted synthesis gas to step (ii), wherein hydrogen is recovered from a portion of the purge gas and the make up gas, and the recovered hydrogen is included in the synthesis gas mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: JOHNSON MATTHEY PLC
    Inventor: Terence James Fitzpatrick
  • Publication number: 20090012188
    Abstract: Process for the production of liquid hydrocarbons from a feedstock that comprises at least one elementary feedstock from the group of biomass, coal, lignite, petroleum residues, methane, and natural gas, comprising: at least one stage a) for gasification of the feedstock by partial oxidation and/or steam reforming to produce a synthesis gas SG; a stage b) for separating CO2 from SG and a portion of the effluent of the subsequent stage c); the mixing of a portion of the CO2 that is separated with a gas of an H2/CO ratio of more than 3; a stage c) for partial conversion with hydrogen, thermal or thermocatalytic, of the CO2 that is present in said first mixture according to the reaction: CO2+H2?CO+H2O in a specific reaction zone that is separated from said gasification zone or zones; a stage d) for Fisher-Tropsch synthesis on a synthesis gas that comprises at least a portion of SG and at least a portion of the CO that is produced by the conversion of CO2 into hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Alexandre Rojey, Reynald Bonneau, Nicolas Boudet
  • Publication number: 20090003126
    Abstract: A method for forming C2+ hydrocarbons by forming a dispersion comprising synthesis gas bubbles dispersed in a liquid phase comprising hydrocarbons in a high shear device, wherein the average bubble diameter of the synthesis gas bubbles is less than about 1.5 ?m, introducing the dispersion into a reactor, and removing a product stream comprising C2+ hydrocarbons from the reactor. A system for converting carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas into C2+ hydrocarbons including at least one high shear mixing device comprising at least one rotor and at least one stator separated by a shear gap, wherein the high shear mixing device is capable of producing a tip speed of the at least one rotor of greater than 22.9 m/s (4,500 ft/min), and a pump configured for delivering a fluid stream comprising liquid medium to the high shear mixing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: H R D CORPORATION
    Inventors: Abbas Hassan, Ebrahim Bagherzadeh, Rayford G. Anthony, Gregory Borsinger, Aziz Hassan
  • Publication number: 20080319094
    Abstract: A process is described by which an olefinic naphtha and a hydrogenated distillate fuel are made from a Fischer-Tropsch process. The olefinic naphtha is suitable for use in an ethylene cracker where the olefins enhance the formation of ethylene. Thy hydrogenated distillate fuel is used in jet and or diesel fuels. Optionally the olefinic naphtha has a low content of acids. This low acid content, is obtained by operating the Fischer-Tropsch unit at H2/CO ratios from 1.8 to 2.05 or treating the effluent from the Fischer-Tropsch unit with a metal oxide to remove the acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Jerome F. Mayer, Dennis J. O'Rear
  • Publication number: 20080319093
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method of converting carbon dioxide to methanol and/or dimethyl ether using any methane source or natural gas consisting of a combination of steam and dry reforming, in a specific ratio to produce a 2:1 molar ratio of hydrogen and carbon monoxide with subsequent conversion of the CO and H2 mixture exclusively to methanol and/or dimethyl ether. This method is termed the BI-REFORMING™ process. Dehydrating formed methanol allows producing dimethyl ether (DME) using any suitable catalytic method, including use of solid acid catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: George A. Olah, G.K. Surya Prakash
  • Patent number: 7468396
    Abstract: The invention provide a process for producing directly mixed linear alpha-alcohols having 1 to 18 carbon atoms from synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, comprising the step of reacting hydrogen and carbon monoxide over a catalyst to produce mixed linear alpha-alcohols having 1 to 18 carbon atoms and hydrocarbons having 1 to 25 carbon atoms through Fischer-Tropsch process in one step in a reactor, wherein: the mole ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide is within the range of 1 to 3; the catalyst is an activated carbon supported cobalt based catalyst; the reactor is a fixed bed reactor, a slurry reactor or a fluid reactor; the reaction is carried out under specific conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Yunjie Ding, Hejun Zhu, Tao Wang, Guiping Jiao, Yuan Lv
  • Publication number: 20080300326
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for converting hydrocarbon-containing gases into hydrocarbon-containing liquids wherein the Fischer-Tropsch process is implemented, said Fischer-Tropsch process producing hydrocarbon-containing liquids and a residue gas comprising at least hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons having a carbon number not more than 6, wherein the residue gas is subjected to a separation method producing: at least one gas stream comprising for the major part hydrogen; at least one stream comprising for the major part methane; at least one gas stream comprising for the major part inerts (carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon) and hydrocarbons having a carbon number not less than 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Ex ploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Martine Schneider, Guillaume De Souza, Paul Wentink
  • Patent number: 7459485
    Abstract: This invention relates to a hydrocarbon synthesis process comprising the conversion of a feed of H2 and at least one carbon oxide to hydrocarbons containing at least 30% on a mass basis hydrocarbons with five or more carbon atoms. The conversion is carried out in the presence of an alkali-promoted iron hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst and an acidic catalyst suitable for converting hydrocarbons. The reaction mixture formed during the conversion contains less than 0.02 mol alkali per 100 g iron and the H2:carbon oxide molar ration in the feed of H2 and carbon oxide is at least 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Frederick Gideon Botes, Tracy Carolyn Bromfield, Philip Gibson, Rafael Luis Espinoza
  • Publication number: 20080293834
    Abstract: A process for producing liquid and, optionally, gaseous products from gaseous reactants includes feeding at a low level a gaseous reactants feed comprising at least CO and H2 into an expanded slurry bed of solid non-shifting hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst particles suspended in a suspension liquid, the expanded slurry bed having an aspect ratio of less than 5. The gaseous reactants and any recycled gas are allowed to react with a per pass CO plus H2 conversion of at least 60% as they pass upwardly through the slurry bed at a gas velocity of at least 35 cm/s, thereby to form liquid and, optionally, gaseous products, and with the gaseous reactants and any recycled gas and any gaseous product assisting in maintaining the solid catalyst particles in suspension in the suspension liquid, and with the liquid product forming together with the suspension liquid, a liquid phase of the slurry bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Andre Peter Steynberg
  • Patent number: 7456226
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and installation for producing liquid energy carriers from a solid carbon carrier by means of gasifying a solid carbon carrier. The installation is at least comprised of a drying device, a gasification apparatus, a synthesizing device for synthesizing the liquid energy carrier, a device for effecting the electrolysis of water for producing oxygen serving as a gasification agent and hydrogen for the synthesis process, and of a combustion apparatus, which is connected to the output of the gasification apparatus for carbon-containing gasification residues and to the oxygen outlet of the device for effecting the electrolysis of water. According to the invention, at least a portion of the waste steam from the drying device and at least a portion of the residual gas arising during synthesis are fed to the gasification process in the gasification apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Inventors: Norbert Topf, Guenter Liebisch
  • Patent number: 7451618
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of liquid hydrocarbons from a light hydrocarbonaceous feedstock in combination with a process for liquefying natural gas, which liquefaction process involves the steps of (a) passing the natural gas at liquefaction pressure through the product side of a main heat exchanger; (b) introducing cooled liquefied refrigerant at refrigerant pressure in the cold side of the main heat exchanger, allowing the cooled refrigerant to evaporate at the refrigerant pressure in the cold side of the main heat exchanger to obtain vaporous refrigerant at refrigerant pressure, and removing vaporous refrigerant from the cold side of the main heat exchanger; (c) removing the liquefied gas at liquefaction pressure from the product side of the main heat exchanger; (d) allowing the cooled liquefied gas to expand to a lower pressure to obtain expanded fluid; (e) supplying the expanded fluid to a separator vessel; (f) withdrawing from the bottom of the separator vessel a liquid product stream; (g) withdrawi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Joachim Ansorge, Robert Klein Nagelvoort, Adrianus Reinier Punt, Roy Widjaja
  • Patent number: 7449496
    Abstract: A stabilized catalyst support having improved hydrothermal stability, catalyst made therefrom, and method for producing hydrocarbons from synthesis gas using said catalyst. The stabilized support is made by a method comprising treating a crystalline hydrous alumina precursor in contact with at least one structural stabilizer or compound thereof. The crystalline hydrous alumina precursor preferably includes an average crystallite size selected from an optimum range delimited by desired hydrothermal resistance and desired porosity. The crystalline hydrous alumina precursor preferably includes an alumina hydroxide, such as crystalline boehmite, crystalline bayerite, or a plurality thereof differing in average crystallite sizes by at least about 1 nm. The crystalline hydrous alumina precursor may be shaped before or after contact with the structural stabilizer or compound thereof. The treating includes calcining at 450° C. or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Yaming Jin, Kandaswamy Jothimurugesan, Kristi A. Fjare, J. Dale Ortego, Jr., Beatrice C. Ortego, Rafael L. Espinoza
  • Publication number: 20080275142
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method to start a steady state process for producing normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons from synthesis gas, which method comprises the steps of: (i) providing an activated catalyst in tubes of a fixed bed reactor, preferably a multitubular fixed bed reactor, the catalyst being suitable to convert synthesis gas to normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons; (ii) contacting the activated catalyst with a liquid to obtain a wetted activated catalyst; (iii) contacting the wetted activated catalyst with synthesis gas and catalytically converting the synthesis gas at an elevated temperature and pressure to obtain the normally gaseous, normally liquid and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Arend Hoek, Lip Piang Kueh