Abstract: A gas conversion process comprising synthesis gas production, hydrocarbon synthesis and hydrogen production from the synthesis gas, also includes hydrodesulfurizing sulfur-containing hydrocarbon liquids separated from a mixture of natural gas and the liquids produced from a gas well. Hydrogen produced from the synthesis gas is used for the hydrodesulfurization, to remove at least a portion of the sulfur as H.sub.2 S and form desulfurized hydrocarbon liquid. The hydrogen is produced from the synthesis gas by one or more of (i) physical separation means such as pressure swing adsorption and (ii) chemical means such as a water gas shift reactor. The synthesized hydrocarbons are upgraded by hydroconversion. A portion of the hydrogen produced from the synthesis gas may also be used for at least one of (i) hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst rejuvenation and the hydroconversion.

Abstract: Small particle size catalysts having an average particle size of less than 20 or 10 microns, which agglomerate when contacted with a hydrocarbon liquid, are easily dispersed in the hydrocarbon liquid by first forming a mixture comprising the catalyst particles and one or more non-acidic, liquid polar oxygenates, such as an alcohol, ketone, ester, ether or mixture thereof. The mixture is contacted with the hydrocarbon liquid in which the particles then readily disperse. This process is useful for adding fresh or regenerated small particle size catalyst to catalytic hydroprocessing process slurries, including a reactive Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis slurry. One to four carbon atom alcohols are preferred oxygenates for use with a Fischer-Tropsch slurry.

Abstract: A process is described in which butene oligomers are prepared from Fischer-Tropsch olefins, in which the butenes present in a C.sub.4 fraction of Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbons are oligomerized to obtain dibutene. The dibutene can be fractionated in a fine distillation stage into di-n-butene and di-isobutene. In one embodiment of the process, the ethylene present in the Fischer-Tropsch olefins is dimerized and the dimerization mixture is recycled to the C.sub.4 fraction. In another embodiment, the isobutene present in the C.sub.4 fraction is reacted with an alcohol to give an alkyl tert-butyl ether, and only the remaining n-butene is oligomerized so that di-n-butene is formed as the sole dibutene.

Abstract: Small particle size catalysts having an average particle size of less than 20 or 10 microns, which agglomerate when contacted with a hydrocarbon liquid, are easily dispersed in the hydrocarbon liquid by first forming a mixture comprising the catalyst particles and one or more non-acidic, liquid polar oxygenates, such as an alcohol, ketone, ester, ether or mixture thereof. The mixture is contacted with the hydrocarbon liquid in which the particles then readily disperse. This process is useful for adding fresh or regenerated small particle size catalyst to catalytic hydroprocessing process slurries, including a reactive Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis slurry. One to four carbon atom alcohols are preferred oxygenates for use with a Fischer-Tropsch slurry.

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: A catalyst is disclosed which comprises a ruthenium-copper-containing complex of the formulaM.sub.a A.sub.b RuCu.sub.c N.sub.z O.sub.xwhereinM is selected from the group consisting of Ce, Cr, Fe, Mn, and mixtures thereof,A is an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or mixture thereof,a is from 0 to about 1,b is from about 0.002 to about 10,c is from about 0.2 to about 20,z is from 0 to about 1% by weight,x is the number of oxygens needed to fulfill the valence requirements of the other elements, said complex being supported by an activated carbon support having a surface area of at least about 300 square meters per gram. A process for converting mixtures of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, particularly synthesis gas, to alcohol with minimal levels of hydrocarbon by-products being formed is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is provided for the upgrading of synthesis gas to hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons, particularly olefins and carboxylic acids by contacting synthesis gas with catalysts comprising the mixed oxides of ruthenium, copper, an alkali or alkaline earth metal, and optionally a metal selected from Ce, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, Th, Zn or mixtures thereof. The synthesis gas upgrading product may be contacted with a hydrogenation catalyst to provide alkanes, alcohols and esters, useful for fuels.

Abstract: A process for the upgrading of synthesis gas is provided wherein olefin and oxygenated hydrocarbons, particularly alcohol and carboxylic acid, products predominate. The process includes contacting synthesis gas at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst comprising partially reduced ruthenium oxide and elemental gold. The products may be recovered and contacted with hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to yield alkanes, alcohols and esters useful for fuels.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising the mixed oxides of ruthenium, copper, at least one alkali metal and at least one of rhodium, iridium, palladium, and platinum are provided which are useful in the upgrading of synthesis gas, particularly for obtaining alkanes and alcohols.