Energy International Corporation

Sasol Technology (uk) Limited

Energy International Corportion

James G Goodwin

Alan H Singleton

Rachid Oukaci

A &#x3b3;-alumina catalyst support having improved attrition resistance produced by a method comprising the steps of treating a particulate &#x3b3;-alumina material with an acidic aqueous solution comprising water and nitric acid and then, prior to adding any catalytic material thereto, calcining the treated &#x3b3;-alumina.

Attrition resistant gamma-alumina catalyst support

A catalyst support having improved attrition resistance and a catalyst produced therefrom. The catalyst support is produced by a method comprising the step of treating calcined &ggr;-alumina having no catalytic material added thereto with an acidic aqueous solution having an acidity level effective for increasing the attrition resistance of the calcined &ggr;-alumina.

Attrition resistant Fischer-Tropsch catalyst and support

Cobalt catalysts, and processes employing these inventive catalysts, for hydrocarbon synthesis. The inventive catalyst comprises cobalt on an alumina support and is not promoted with any noble or near noble metals. In one aspect of the invention, the alumina support preferably includes a dopant in an amount effective for increasing the activity of the inventive catalyst. The dopant is preferably a titanium dopant. In another aspect of the invention, the cobalt catalyst is preferably reduced in the presence of hydrogen at a water vapor partial pressure effective to increase the activity of the cobalt catalyst for hydrocarbon synthesis. The water vapor partial pressure is preferably in the range of from 0 to about 0.1 atmospheres.

Fischer-tropsch activity for non-promoted cobalt-on-alumina catalysts

A method for reducing catalyst attrition losses in hydrocarbon synthesis processes conducted in high agitation reaction systems; a method of producing an attrition-resistant catalyst; a catalyst produced by such method; a method of producing an attrition-resistant catalyst support; and a catalyst support produced by such method. The inventive method of reducing catalyst attrition losses comprises the step of reacting a synthesis gas in a high agitation reaction system in the presence of a catalyst. In one aspect, the catalyst preferably comprises a &ggr;-alumina support including an amount of titanium effective for increasing the attrition resistance of the catalyst. In another aspect, the catalyst preferably comprises a &ggr;-alumina support which has been treated, after calcination, with an acidic, aqueous solution. The acidic aqueous solution preferably has a pH of not more than about 5. In another aspect, the catalyst preferably comprises cobalt on a &ggr;-alumina support wherein the cobalt has been applied to the &ggr;-alumina support by totally aqueous, incipient wetness-type impregnation. In another aspect, the catalyst preferably comprises cobalt on a &ggr;-alumina support with an amount of a lanthana promoter effective for increasing the attrition resistance of the catalyst. In another aspect, the catalyst preferably comprises a &ggr;-alumina support produced from boehmite having a crystallite size, in the 021 plane, in the range of from about 30 to about 55 &angst;ngstrons. In another aspect, the inventive method of producing an attrition-resistant catalyst comprises the step of treating a &ggr;-alumina support, after calcination of and before adding catalytic material to the support, with an acidic solution effective for increasing the attrition resistance of the catalyst. In another aspect, the inventive method of producing an attrition-resistant catalyst support comprises the step of treating calcined &ggr;-alumina with an acidic, aqueous solution effective for increasing the attrition resistance of the &ggr;-alumina.

Reducing fischer-tropsch catalyst attrition losses in high agitation reaction systems

Fischer-Tropsch activity for non-promoted cobalt-on-alumina catalysts

A process for hydrocarbon synthesis comprising the step of reacting a synthesis gas in the presence of a cobalt catalyst promoted with palladium.

Processes and palladium-promoted catalysts for conducting

Processes and catalysts for conducting Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a slurry bubble column reactor (SBCR). One aspect of the invention involves the use of cobalt catalysts without noble metal promotion in an SBCR. Another aspect involves using palladium promoted cobalt catalysts in an SBCR. Methods for preparing noble metal promoted catalysts via totally aqueous impregnation and procedures for producing attrition resistant catalysts are also provided.

Growing community of inventors

Cranberry Township, PA, United States of America

James G Goodwin