Low temperature Fischer-Tropsch synthesis from a Sasol perspective

The characteristics of a slurry phase reactor are contrasted with those of a conventional tubular fixed bed reactor (TFBR) for the conversion of synthesis gas to long chain hydrocarbons. Hydrodynamic information needed for the design of a commercial scale slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactor were obtained from experiments carried out on a 1 m internal diameter pilot plant reactor. The kinetics, selectivities and deactivation mechanisms of Fe and supported Co FT catalysts are compared for both slurry phase and fixed bed operation. The combined advantages of the slurry phase reactor and a very active Co catalyst create the opportunity to convert remote natural gas to high quality middle distillates in a cost effective manner. (C)1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.