47. (WO 2006/016949) OPTIMIZATION OF GAS-TO-LIQUIDS HYDROCRACKER 16.02.2006 C10G 47/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY A method for production of synthetic diesel and naphtha from a hydrocracker includes hydrocracking a synthetic heavy hydrocarbon feed comprising an a value to form a diesel and a naphtha; selecting a desired diesel-to-naphtha ratio; calculating, based on the feed a and the desired diesel-to-naphtha ratio, a target molar ratio of hydrocarbons exiting to hydrocarbons entering the hydrocracker; and adjusting at least one hydrocracking conversion promoting condition to achieve said target molar ratio. The present invention further relates to a method for adjusting the overall production of a syngas-to-synthetic hydrocarbons plant in response to market conditions, comprising adjusting at least one hydrocracking conversion promoting condition and...

46. (WO 2006/010148) COMBINATION OF AMORPHOUS MATERIALS FOR HYDROCRACKING CATALYSTS 26.01.2006 C10G 47/02 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY An amorphous support, methods for making the same and methods of using, particularly in hydrocracking. A method of making may comprise mixing a first amorphous material and a second amorphous material of different acidities to form a mixture, and treating by either separately treating the first and second amorphous materials before mixing or treating the mixture, so as to form an amorphous catalyst support. Treating preferably includes calcining. The acidity of the amorphous support may be modified by the different acidities of the precursor amorphous materials, their proportions in the mixture, and/or the order of the mixing and treating steps. A method of use may comprise reacting a hydrocarbon fraction with hydrogen over a hydrocracking ...

44. (WO 2006/001912) CATALYST FOR HYDROPROCESSING OF FISCHER-TROPSCH PRODUCTS 05.01.2006 C10G 47/04 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY The invention generally relates to methods for modifying a porous amorphous material comprising micropores to reduce its micropore volume and to form a support for a hydroprocessing catalyst, to methods of making said catalyst, as well as to methods for hydrocracking employing said hydroprocessing catalyst characterized by a lower selectivity towards undesirable gaseous hydrocarbon products. In one embodiment, the method for modifying the amorphous material comprises depositing an inorganic oxide or inorganic oxide precursor to the amorphous material; and treating the deposited amorphous material so as to reduce its micropore volume by at least about 5 percent, while its mean pore diameter is substantially unchanged or changed by not more t...

43. (WO 2005/095312) PREVENTION OF AND RECOVERING FROM A CATALYST BED SLUMPING IN A GAS-AGITATED MULTIPHASE REACTOR 13.10.2005 C07C 27/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY Methods are disclosed for prevention of and recovery from a catalyst bed slumping in a gas-agitated multiphase hydrocarbon synthesis reactor, while the reactor is either under non-reactive conditions or under reaction promoting conditions when syngas is converted to products. The reactor contains a catalyst bed comprising catalyst particles and a gas injection zone suitable for injecting a reactor gas feed. A method for preventing bed slumping comprises supplying supplemental gas to the gas-agitated multiphase reactor to prevent the catalyst bed from slumping due to insufficient reactor gas feed flow. The method may include recycling some or all of the supplemental gas to the reactor. The method may further comprise separating the gas injec...

41. (WO 2005/091815) HYDROPROCESSING METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE PREPARATION OF LIQUID HYDROCARBONS 06.10.2005 No IPC Found CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY The present invention is generally related towards enhancing the yield and/or cold-flow properties of certain hydrocarbon products, increasing the degree of isomerization in a diesel product and/or increasing the production rate of a diesel product. The embodiments generally include reducing the residence time of lighter hydrocarbon fractions during hydrocracking, thereby decreasing secondary cracking, by various configurations of introducing at least two hydrocarbon feedstreams of different boiling ranges at different entry points in a hydrocracking unit. A method further includes forming a hydrocarbons stream comprising primarily C5+ Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon products; fractionating hydrocarbons stream to form at least a wax fraction an...

40. (WO 2005/082821) METHODS OF REDUCING AND LOADING A METAL-BASED CATALYST INTO A REACTOR 09.09.2005 C07C 27/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY The present methods feature an overall decrease in transportation costs and catalyst preparation/protection measures. A catalyst comprising a catalytic metal in an oxide form is safely transported in an oxidizing environment to a synthesis site, without any special precautions being taken before and during transport. The catalyst is then reduced with a reducing gas at the synthesis plant. The reduced catalyst is mixed with a stripped hydrocarbon liquid to form a catalyst slurry, wherein the stripped hydrocarbon liquid is substantially free of dissolved oxygen after being contacted with a stripping gas. The mixing can take place in a pre-operational hydrocarbon synthesis reactor, or at least a portion of the slurry can be transferred to at l...

39. (WO 2005/068407) SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CATALYST/HYDROCARBON PRODUCT SEPARATION 28.07.2005 C07C 27/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY This invention relates to methods and apparatus for separating liquid products and catalyst particles from a slurry used in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor system. The preferred embodiments of the present invention are characterized by a separation system that uses a sedimentation chamber, which contains at least one inclined channel that enhances the settling of particles within the slurry. The enhanced settling separates the slurry into a catalyst-rich bottom stream and a catalyst-lean overhead stream. The catalyst-rich bottom product stream is preferably recycled to the reactor, while the catalyst-lean overhead stream can be further processed by a secondary separation system to produce valuable synthetic fuels. The inclined channel may be prov...

38. (WO 2005/046855) SILICA-ALUMINA CATALYST SUPPORT, CATALYSTS MADE THEREFROM AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME 26.05.2005 B01J 20/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY This invention relates to catalysts comprising a catalytic metal deposited on a composite support with well-dispersed chemical 'anchor' species acting as nucleation centers for catalytic metal crystallites growth. The catalysts have the advantage that the average catalytic metal crystallite size can be controlled by the molar ratio of catalytic metal to chemical 'anchor,' and is not limited by the porous structure of the support. A preferred embodiment comprises a cobalt-based catalyst on a silica-alumina support made by a co-gel method, wherein its average pore size can be controlled by the pH. The alumina species in the support most likely serve as chemical 'anchors' to control the dispersion of cobalt species, such that the average cobal...

37. (WO 2005/040309) A METHOD FOR FORMING A FISCHER-TROPSCH CATALYST USING A BOEHMITE SUPPORT MATERIAL 06.05.2005 C10G 2/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY A method is provided for forming a highly active Fischer-Tropsch catalyst using boehmite having a particular crystallite size. In this method, a support material comprising boehmite is contacted with a catalytic metal-containing compound to form a catalyst precursor. The boehmite is selected to have an average crystallite size in the range of from about 6 nanometers (nm) to about 30 nm. An alternate embodiment uses a mixture of boehmites with various average crystallite sizes in the range of from about 4 nm to about 30 nm, differing by at least by 1 nm. Subsequently, the catalyst precursor is calcined to convert the boehmite to a stabilized aluminum oxide structure, thereby forming a catalyst support having a good attrition resistance and a...

36. (WO 2005/037745) SILICA-ALUMINA CATALYST SUPPORT WITH BIMODAL PORE DISTRIBUTION, CATALYSTS, METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME 28.04.2005 C07C 27/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY An effective catalyst includes an amorphous silica-alumina support having a bimodal pore size-distribution. The support may be prepared by a method that includes the physical mixing of two silica-alumina gels prepared so as to have two different average pore sizes. The catalyst has the advantage that both metal dispersion on the support and product diffusion in the pores are optimized. Further, the catalyst has improved performance in the production of hydrocarbons from synthesis gas.

35. (WO 2005/023736) NOVEL METHOD FOR IMPROVED FISCHER-TROPSCH CATALYST STABILITY AND HIGHER STABLE SYNGAS CONVERSION 17.03.2005 C07C 27/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY The present invention is generally related towards methods for preparing and using a more stable synthesis catalysts. In particular, the present invention is directed towards treating synthesis catalysts with low levels of oxygen to deactivate the smaller more unstable metal crystallites present in the catalyst matrix. The process can be carried out either prior to and/or simultaneously with the synthesis reaction.

34. (WO 2005/019382) CATALYTIC DISTILLATION HYDROPROCESSING 03.03.2005 C10G CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY A method for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon synthesis product feed to form upgraded fuels and lubricating oils. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of: (a) contacting a Fischer-Tropsch product with a hydroprocessing catalyst to produce a desired distillate; and (b) counter-currently stripping the desired distillate as it is produced. The method may include distilling the desired distillate or distilling the treated Fischer-Tropsch product.

33. (WO 2004/106824) CONJOINED REACTOR SYSTEM 09.12.2004 C07C 27/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY A gas-agitated multiphase reactor system with multiple reaction zones comprising gas-liquid or gas-liquid-solid mixtures that can maximize the production rate while allowing better control of the temperature distribution and better control of the liquid and solid phases in the reactors. Still more particularly, this invention relates to a method for operating a pair of linked gas-agitated slurry reaction zones such that the hydrodynamic behavior and reactor performance of such reactor system are improved compared to that of a conventional slurry bed reactor.

32. (WO 2004/106461) RECYCLE OF LOW BOILING POINT PRODUCTS TO A FISCHER-TROPSCH REACTOR 09.12.2004 C07C 27/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY Methods for reducing the average molecular weight of liquid hydrocarbons in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor are disclosed. The preferred embodiments of the present invention are characterized by feeding a hydrocarbon stream, which lowers the average molecular weight of the hydrocarbon liquids inside the reactor, and more preferably by recycling a portion of low-molecular weight hydrocarbon products back into the reactor. Lowering the molecular weight of the hydrocarbon liquids inside the reactor increases the mass transfer and solubility, and diffusivity of the reactants in the hydrocarbons present in the slurry.

31. (WO 2004/088227) PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING FLOW IN A MULTIPHASE REACTOR 14.10.2004 C07C 27/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY The present invention provides an apparatus and method for controlling the hydrodynamics within a gas agitated multiphase reactor at a given gas linear velocity. The embodiments of the present invention involve novel configurations of the multiphase reactor internal structures. In general, the configurations comprise a plurality of discrete reaction flow zones created by arranging the internal structures of a multiphase reactor.

30. (WO 2004/088226) GAS AGITATED MULTIPHASE CATALYTIC REACTOR WITH REDUCED BACKMIXING 14.10.2004 C07C 27/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY The present invention provides an apparatus and method for optimizing the degree of backmixing within a gas agitated multiphase reactor at a given gas linear velocity. The embodiments of the present invention involve novel configurations of the multiphase reactor internal structures. In general, the configurations comprise creating a dense area of internal structures in the central region and/or wall regions of the multiphase reactor.

29. (WO 2004/085575) COMMERCIAL FISCHER-TROPSCH REACTOR 07.10.2004 C07C 27/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY A process for producing hydrocarbons comprises providing a multi-tubular reactor having at least 100 tubes units containing a catalyst, each tube being between 2 and 5 meters tall and in thermal contact with a cooling fluid; feeding hydrogen and carbon monoxide to each tube at a linear gas superficial velocity less than about 60 cm/s; and converting the gas feedstream to hydrocarbons on the catalyst, wherein the yield of hydrocarbons in each tube is greater than 100 (kg hydrocarbons)/hr/(m³ reaction zone). Each tube may have an internal diameter greater than 2 centimeters. The catalyst may be active for Fischer Tropsch synthesis and may comprise cobalt or iron. The maximum difference in the radially-averaged temperature...

28. (WO 2004/083344) HYDROGEN USE IN A GTL PLANT 30.09.2004 C10G 2/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY The present invention provides a process for managing hydrogen in a hydrocarbon gas to liquid plant. The process includes passing a syngas feed stream (30) produced by a partial oxidation reactor (28) to a Fischer-Tropsch reactor (34), thereby converting the syngas to hydrocarbon liquids. The hydrogen management process further includes passing a second hydrogen rich stream (58) produced by an auxiliary source (52) to a hydrogen user such as an FT water stripper (64), an FT catalyst regeneration unit (68), and an FT product upgrading unit (40). The auxiliary source could be a process for converting hydrocarbons to syngas, a process for converting hydrocarbons to olefins, a process for converting hydrocarbons to aromatics, a process for cata...

27. (WO 2004/083343) MANAGING HYDROGEN IN A GAS TO LIQUID PLANT 30.09.2004 C10G 2/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY The present invention provides a process for managing hydrogen in a hydrocarbon gas to liquid plant. The process includes feeding a syngas stream produced by a partial oxidation reactor to a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, thereby converting the syngas to hydrocarbon liquids. It also includes passing a substantially oxygen-free feed stream comprising hydrocarbon gas and water to a steam reformer, thereby producing a hydrogen-rich stream. The H₂/CO ratio in the syngas feed stream can be adjusted to a desired value by introducing a first portion of the hydrogen-rich stream to the syngas feed stream. A second portion of the hydrogen-rich stream can be passed to one or more hydrogen users, e.g., a catalyst regeneration unit, in th...

26. (WO 2004/083342) MANAGING HYDROGEN AND CARBON MONOXIDE IN A GAS TO LIQUID PLANT TO CONTROL THE H2/CO RATIO IN THE FISCHER-TROPSCH REACTOR FEED 30.09.2004 C10G 2/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY The present invention provides a process for controlling the ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide in feed streams (14, 18) to reactors (16, 22) that convert syngas to hydrocarbon liquids. The process includes primary syngas production process (12) for converting hydrocarbon gas to syngas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The process further includes introducing a hydrogen rich stream (68, 46), a carbon monoxide rich stream (70), or both produced by an auxiliary source (66, 44) to a feed stream (14, 18) being passed to a reactor (16, 22) for converting the syngas to hydrocarbon liquid, thereby adjusting the H2/CO ratio in the feed stream (14, 18). Examples of reactors (16, 22) that may be used to convert syngas to hydrocarbon liquids ...

25. (WO 2004/081147) OCTANE IMPROVEMENT OF A HYDROCARBON STREAM 23.09.2004 C07C 2/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY The invention relates to methods for improving the octane number of a synthetic naphtha stream and optionally for producing olefins and/or solvents. In one embodiment, the method comprises aromatizing at least a portion of a synthetic naphtha stream to produce an aromatized hydrocarbon stream; and isomerizing at least a portion of the aromatized hydrocarbon stream to produce an isomerized aromatized hydrocarbon stream having a higher octane rating than the synthetic naphtha stream. Alternatively, the method comprises providing at least three synthetic naphtha cuts comprising a C₄-C₅ stream; a C₆-C₈ stream and a C₉-C_11<>

24. (WO 2004/078656) METHODS FOR TREATING ORGANIC COMPOUNDS AND TREATED ORGANIC COMPOUNDS 16.09.2004 C10L 1/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY Embodiments include processes for producing streams containing organic molecules (for example, diesel fuels and diesel fuel blending agents) including ultra-low severity hydrotreatment of at least a portion of a hydrocarbon synthesis product stream. Also, streams containing organic molecules (for example, diesel fuels and diesel fuel blending agents) produced by the processes are described.

23. (WO 2004/058401) ATTRITION RESISTANT BULK METAL CATALYSTS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME 15.07.2004 B01J 31/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention features a bulk catalyst that includes precipitated cobalt metal. The precipitated cobalt catalyst further includes a textural promoter, a binder and optionally a Group I metal. The method of making the catalyst is optimized so as to enhance attrition resistance and improve activity. According to some embodiments, the present catalyst is made by a method that includes one or a combination of: calcination under optimized temperature conditions; exposure to an acidic solution; and addition of a binder to a suspension of a precipitate. According to some embodiments, a Fischer-Tropsch process includes contacting the present catalyst with a feed stream containing carbon monoxide and hydr...

22. (WO 2004/058387) IRON-BASED FISCHER-TROPSCH CATALYSTS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING 15.07.2004 B01J 23/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY The present invention presents an iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst having a low water-gas shift activity and high selectivity and productivity toward a hydrocarbon wax wherein said catalyst comprises iron; silver; sodium, lithium, potassium, rubidium and/or cesium; optionally, calcium, magnesium, boron, and/or aluminum; and a silica structural promoter. The present invention further presents a method of making a precipitated iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst. The present invention still further presents a process for producing hydrocarbons using the iron-based, precipitated Fischer-Tropsch catalyst of the present invention.

21. (WO 2004/043583) IMPROVED SUPPORTS FOR HIGH SURFACE AREA CATALYSTS 27.05.2004 C07C 27/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY The present invention relates to thermally stable, high surface area alumina supports and a method of preparing such supports with at least one modifying agent. The method includes adding an aluminum modifying agent to the alumina prior to calcining. The inventive support has thermal stability at temperatures above 800 °C. A more specific embodiment of the invention is a catalyst having a high surface area, thermally stable alumina support with at least one group VIII metal or rhenium and an optional promoter loaded onto the support. The present invention further relates to gas-to-liquids conversion processes, more specifically for producing C₅₊ hydrocarbons.

20. (WO 2004/035511) FISCHER-TROPSCH PROCESSES AND CATALYSTS USING STABILIZED SUPPORTS 29.04.2004 B01J 31/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY A catalyst and method for producing hydrocarbons using a catalyst support having an improved hydrothermal stability, such as under Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions. The stabilized support is made by a method comprising treating a boehmite material in contact with at least one structural stabilizer. Contacting the boehmite with at least one structural stabilizer can include forming a mixture comprising the boehmite material and at the least one structural stabilizer. The mixture can be a sol or a slurry. The treating preferably includes drying or spray drying the mixture, and calcining in an oxidizing atmosphere to obtain the stabilized support. Preferred structural stabilizers can include an element, such as cobalt, magnesium, zirconium...

19. (WO 2004/035196) A STABILIZED TRANSITION ALUMINA CATALYST SUPPORT FROM BOEHMITE AND CATALYSTS MADE THEREFROM 29.04.2004 C07C 27/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY This invention relates to methods for making a stabilized transition alumina of enhanced hydrothermal stability, which include the introduction of at least one structural stabilizer; a steaming step before or after the introduction step, wherein steaming is effective in transforming a transition alumina at least partially to boehmite and/or pseudoboehmite; and a calcining step to create a stabilized transition alumina. The combination of the structural stabilizer and the steaming step is believed to impart high hydrothermal stability to the alumina crystal lattice. Particularly preferred structural stabilizers include boron, cobalt, and zirconium. The stabilized transition alumina is useful as a catalyst support for high water partial press...

18. (WO 2004/035194) HIGH HYDROTHERMAL STABILITY CATALYST SUPPORT 29.04.2004 C01F 7/02 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY Methods are disclosed for preparing hydrothermally-stable structurally-promoted refractory-oxide catalyst supports, which includes mixing precursors of the refractory oxide and of at least one structural promoter and calcining the mixture. The methods feature the incorporation of at least one structural promoter into the lattice of a refractory-oxide material such as alumina. The hydrothermally-stable structurally-promoted refractory-oxide catalyst supports are useful in hydrothermal catalytic processes such as Fischer-Tropsch reactions.

17. (WO 2004/035193) FISCHER-TROPSCH PROCESSES AND CATALYSTS MADE FROM A MATERIAL COMPRISING BOEHMITE 29.04.2004 C07C 27/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY A hydrothermally-stable catalyst, method for making the same, and process for producing hydrocarbon, wherein the catalyst is used in synthesis gas conversion to hydrocarbons. In one embodiment, the method comprises depositing a compound of a catalytic metal selected from Groups 8, 9, and 10 of the Periodic Table on a support material comprising boehmite to form a composite material; and calcining the composite material to form the catalyst. In other embodiments, the support material comprises synthetic boehmite, natural boehmite, pseudo-boehmite, or combinations thereof.

16. (WO 2004/007406) METHOD FOR REDUCING THE MAXIMUM WATER CONCENTRATION IN A MULTI-PHASE COLUMN REACTOR 22.01.2004 C07C 27/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing the maximum water concentration in multi-phase reactors operating at Fischer-Tropsch conditions. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method of reducing the maximum concentration of water in a multi-phase reactor containing an expanded slurry bed and a water-rich slurry region for Fisher-Tropsch synthesis includes changing the flow structure of a predetermined region in the reactor. The flow structure may be changed by introducing a mixing enhancing fluid into the predetermined region, installing baffles into the predetermined region, or by other methods known in the art. Preferably the predetermined region is located between 1/2 H and H and between 1/2 R ...

15. (WO 2003/089103) OPTIMIZED SOLID/LIQUID SEPARATION SYSTEM FOR MULTIPHASE CONVERTERS 30.10.2003 B01D 37/02 CONOCOPHILIPS COMPANY Methods for producing clean liquid/wax products from a slurry used in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor are disclosed. In general, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a solid/liquid filtration system (300) having a filter medium (350) comprising a substrate and a filter cake (360) deposited on the substrate (370), wherein the filter cake (360) is generated by deposition of solids from the slurry. The thickness of the filter cake (360) can be maintained within a desired range by controlling the slurry velocity and/or the pressure differential across the filter medium (350). This invention relates to a method of operation of such filtration system which increases filtration cycle time and improved filtrate quality resulting in very low ...

14. (WO 2003/089102) SOLID/LIQUID SEPARATION SYSTEM FOR MULTIPHASE CONVERTERS 30.10.2003 C10G 73/02 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY Methods and apparatus for removing wax products from a slurry used in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor. The preferred embodiments of the present invention are characterized by a solid/liquid separation system (100) that removes liquid products from a slurry by drawing the fluid across a filter medium (150) composed of a filter cake (160) disposed on a substrate (170). In the preferred embodiments, the filter cake (160) is desirable and performs the majority of the filtration. In certain embodiments, the filter medium (150) is disposed in a filter housing where slurry flows parallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter medium from and inlet (130) to an outlet (140). The characteristics or properties of the cake, which will effect the performance ...

13. (WO 2003/087266) HYDROCARBON SYNTHESIS PROCESS USING A HYDROCARBON SYNTHESIS CATALYST AND AN ACIDIC CATALYST 23.10.2003 C10G 2/00 SASOL TECHNOLOGY (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED 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 100g iron and the H₂: carbon oxide molar ration in the feed of H₂ and carbon oxide is at least 2.

12. (WO 2003/059854) METHOD FOR REDUCING WATER CONCENTRATION IN A MULTI-PHASE COLUMN REACTOR 24.07.2003 C07C 27/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for water removal in multi-phase reactors operating at Fischer-Tropsch conditions. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method of reducing the concentration of water in a multi-phase reactor for Fisher-Tropsch synthesis containing an expanded slurry bed and a water-rich slurry region includes removing a portion of water from the water-rich slurry from a predetermined region in the reactor, removing the water from the water-rich slurry to form a water-reduced slurry, and returning the water-reduced slurry back to the reactor. Preferably the water-rich slurry region is located between 1/2 H to H and 1/2 R to R, where H is the height of the expanded slurry bed and R is th...

11. (WO 2003/057652) WATER STRIPPING AND CATALYST/LIQUID PRODUCT SEPARATION SYSTEM 17.07.2003 C07C 27/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY The present invention relates to a method and system for water removal and optionally liquid product separation in slurry reactors operating at Fischer-Tropsch conditions. More particularly, the present invention includes a water stripping system that allows the reaction water to the stripped in an external vessel, with a relatively high rate of catalyst and wax circulation. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for removing water from a slurry reactor containing a water-rich slurry includes removing a portion of water-rich slurry from the slurry reactor, stripping water from the water-rich slurry using a dry gas to form a water-reduced slurry and a water-rich gas stream, and returning the water-reduced slurry back to...

10. (WO 2003/057338) WATER REMOVAL IN FISCHER-TROPSCH PROCESSES 17.07.2003 C07C 27/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY A method for water removal in hydrocarbon product reactors operating at Fischer-Tropsch conditions. The water removal decreases the concentration of water in the reactor. In one embodiment, a method of reducing the concentration of water in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor containing a water-rich hydrocarbon product includes removing water from the water-rich hydrocarbon product of the reactor by a water removal means so as to form a water-reduced hydrocarbon product and returning that product to the reactor.

9. (WO 2003/052335) SLURRY BUBBLE REACTOR OPERATED IN WELL-MIXED GAS FLOW REGIME 26.06.2003 C07C 27/00 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY A gas-agitated multiphase reactor system for the synthesis of hydrocarbons gives high catalyst productivity and reactor capacity. The system includes operating a multi-phase reactor in the well-mixed gas flow regime, with a Peclet number less than 0.175 and a single pass conversion ranging from 35% to 75%, wherein the inlet superficial gas velocity decreases with the decreasing of the reactor aspect ratio, and is preferably at least 20 cm/sec.

8. (WO 2003/039740) COMBUSTION DEPOSITED METAL-METAL OXIDE CATALYSTS AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING SYNTHESIS GAS 15.05.2003 B01J 23/00 CONOCO INC. Combustion dispersed metal-metal oxide catalysts that are highly active for catalyzing the net partial oxidation of methane to CO and H¿2? are disclosed, along with their manner of making and processes for producing synthesis gas employing the new catalysts. A preferred catalyst comprises rhodium nanoparticles, with or without a rare earth promoter, that is deposited on $g(a)-alumina by combusting a mixture of catalyst precursor materials and a flammable organic compound. In a preferred syngas production process a stream of reactant gas mixture containing methane and O¿2? is passed over the catalyst in a short contact time reactor to efficiently produce a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen at superatmospheric pressures.

7. (WO 2003/024905) IMPROVED SURFACE AREA OF COBALT CATALYST SUPPORTED BY SILICA CARRIER MATERIAL 27.03.2003 C07C 27/00 CONOCO INC. The present invention teaches a method for increasing the cobalt surface area per gram of catalyst in a cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, supported on a silica-based carrier material, by using cobalt amine carbonate precursors. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst includes a catalytically active first metal containing cobalt, and a carrier material containing silica or a silica compound with a cobalt surface area greater than 13 m2/g catalyst. The catalyst active in the FT reaction has a minimum alpha value of 0.87 and a CO conversion of 24 wt % or more. In accordance with another preferred embodiment, a process for producing a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst includes saturating silica or silica compounds with a sol...

6. (WO 2002/092227) PRESSURE SWING CATALYST REGENERATION PROCEDURE FOR FISCHER-TROPSCH CATALYST 21.11.2002 B01J 38/12 CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY A process is disclosed for regenerating a catalyst (60) used in a process for synthesizing hydrocarbons (40). The synthesis process involves contacting a feed stream (10) comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst (50) in a reaction zone (30) maintained at conversion-promoting conditions effective to produce an effluent stream comprising hydrocarbons (40). The regeneration process involves contacting a deactivated Fischer-Tropsch catalyst (60) with a regeneration gas (70) under regeneration-promoting conditions that include a pressure lower than the mean Fischer-Tropsch reaction pressure, for a period of time sufficient to reactivate the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst (60).

5. (WO 2001/097968) HYDROCARBON SYNTHESIS CATALYST AND PROCESS 27.12.2001 C10G 2/00 SASOL TECHNOLOGY (PTY) LTD According to the present invention there is provided a hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst comprising a precipitated iron product and a catalyst promotor. The catalyst has a surface area of below 60 m?2¿ per gram of catalyst in the reduced form or below 100 m?2¿ per gram of catalyst in the non-reduced form. According to the invention there is also provided a process for preparing the catalyst and the use thereof in the synthesis of hydrocarbons.

4. (WO 2001/089686) CHEMICALS FROM SYNTHESIS GAS 29.11.2001 C10G 2/00 SASOL TECHNOLOGY (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED This invention relates to an iron-based Fischer-Tropsch cataylst composition wherein the iron phase is ferrihydrite. The catalyst composition optionally includes a structural promoter which may be selected from manganese or chromium or a mixture thereof and chemical promoters selected from magnesium, zinc, copper and an alkaline or alkali metal such as potassium. The catalyst is best bound to a refractory oxide support such as silica. This catalyst composition produces significant yields of higher parafins, olefins and alcohols.

3. (WO 1999/064380) PRODUCTION OF HYDROCARBONS 16.12.1999 C07C 1/04 SASOL TECHNOLOGY (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED A process for producing hydrocarbons comprises allowing reactants forming part of a reaction medium in a reaction zone, to react at reaction conditions so as to form primary hydrocarbon products. Water is formed as a by-product. The by-product water, on formation thereof under the reaction conditions, is allowed to permeate through a porous membrane, thereby to be separated from the reaction medium.

2. (WO 1999/049965) HEAT TREATED FISCHER-TROPSCH CATALYST PARTICLES 07.10.1999 B01J 23/745 SASOL TECHNOLOGY (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED The invention provides heat treated self-supported precipitated iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst particles. The particles of the present invention are breakage resistant and exhibit superior synthesis performance. The invention also provides a method for producing said particles and a process using said particles.

1. (WO 1998/037168) CATALYST AND PROCESS FOR THE HYDROGENATION OF HYDROCARBONS 27.08.1998 C10G 45/16 SASOL TECHNOLOGY (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED A process for hydrogenating long chain hydrocarbons comprises continuously feeding a feedstock (24) comprising long chain hydrocarbons into a slurry bed (12) comprising a slurry of catalyst particles in a slurrying liquid. The slurry bed is contained in a reaction zone (30) at a low level (24). A hydrogenation component is fed continuously (22) into the slurry bed, at a low level. The hydrogenation component is allowed to react with the feedstock, to hydrogenate the feedstock, as the feedstock and hydrogenation component pass upwardly through the bed (30). Hydrogenated long chain hydrocarbons are withdrawn from the reaction zone at a high level, (26) as a hydrogenated product. Any excess hydrogenation component is withdrawn from the reactio...