EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF SYNTHESIS GAS SOLUBILITY IN FISCHER-TROPSCH REACTOR SLURRY

A semi-flow apparatus has been designed and constructed for investigation of the phase equilibrium behavior of synthesis gas and products in a Fischer-Tropsch slurry reactor. The apparatus provides contact for a flowing gas stream with a stationary liquid and is suited for the determination of gas solubility in a molten wax of high melting point. To verify attainment of equilibrium, the new apparatus has been tested with a mixture of carbon dioxide and toluene. The test data agree well with the experimental results of Ng and Robinson from a static apparatus. Measurement has been completed for the solubility of hydrogen and of carbon monoxide in n-eicosane, n-octacosane, and in n-hexatriacontane at three temperatures (100, 200, and 300 degree C) and five pressures (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 atm). Solubility of synthesis gas mixtures of H//2 and CO in n-octacosane was also determined at three gas temperatures (200 and 300 degree C) for each gas mixture.