Texaco Inc.

Chevron U.s.a. Inc.

Lalit S Shah

Seyi Abiodun Odueyungbo

James R Stoy

Kamlesh B Vakil

Bruce Edward Reynolds

Fred C Jahnke

John C Strickland

Vijay Anant Deshpande

Ting Y Chan

Govanon Nongbri

Robert M Steinberg

Christopher Alan Powers

Ming He

Jeffrey B Harrison

George K Perry

Andre R Da Costa

Dipak C Kothari

William P Volk

Lee D Rhyne

Gayla D Hamby

Pei-Sing Dai, Deceased

Rui Song

Fred D Brent

A method of recovering unsupported fine catalyst from heavy oil comprises combining a slurry comprising unsupported fine catalyst in heavy oil with solvent to form a combined slurry-solvent stream. The combined slurry-solvent stream is filtered in a deoiling zone. A stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent is recovered from the deoiling zone. Unsupported fine catalyst is separated from the stream comprising unsupported fine catalyst and solvent. Filtering in the deoiling zone can comprise filtering the slurry and solvent through a cross-flow microfiltration unit, recovering a retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit, combining the retentate stream of the cross-flow microfiltration unit with solvent to form a combined retentate-solvent stream, and filtering the combined retentate-solvent stream through a cross-flow microfiltration unit.

Recovery of slurry unsupported catalyst

Method and apparatus for separating components of a slurry comprising solid particles and liquid components, particularly where the slurry is under pressure. The components are separated in a hydrocyclone such that a solids-enriched slurry exits the separator via an underflow outlet while a solids-depleted slurry exits the separator through an overflow outlet and passes into a products vessel. Fluid communication is provided between the products vessel and the underflow outlet so that gas can circulate through the hydrocyclone. This gas circulation pathway may be achieved by enclosing the separation system in a housing or providing a gas circulation conduit between the products vessel and the underflow outlet of the separator or an optional solids vessel connected to the underflow outlet. Pressure within the separator apparatus may be adjusted and controlled at a negative, neutral or positive pressure while operating the hydrocyclone in balanced mode to achieve efficient separation. Where the slurry is derived from a high pressure and/or high temperature reactor and the solid components of the slurry include catalyst particles that are to be reclaimed and recycled to the reactor, the separator apparatus is preferably operated at substantially the same pressure that is found in the reactor.

Method and apparatus for separating solids from a slurry

Hydrocarbonaceous fuel, such as coal, oil or gas, is gasified to produce syngas comprising H and CO, scrubbed free of particles, and saturated with water. The syngas is then treated in an acid gas removal unit as desired to remove any impurities in the syngas. After processing the syngas in the AGR, it is routed to a hydrocarbon synthesis reactor. In the hydrocarbon synthesis reactor, the bulk of the H and CO in the syngas is converted to synthetic hydrocarbons, the makeup of which is generally dependent on the type catalyst used in the reactor. The unreacted gas, or tailgas, exiting the reactor, is sent to the gas turbine as fuel. Optionally, N2 or natural gas can be added to the tailgas prior to the combustion turbine. N2 may also optionally be mixed with the hydrocarbon synthesis reactor feed to help control the reaction temperature. After being combusted in the combustor of a gas turbine, the combustion products are expanded to produce power. The expanded combustion products are then sent to a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) to produce steam that can also be expanded to produce power.

Making fischer-tropsch liquids and power

The present invention is generally directed to handling the wastewater, or condensate, from a hydrocarbon synthesis reactor. More particularly, the present invention provides a process wherein the wastewater of a hydrocarbon synthesis reactor, such as a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, is sent to a gasifier and subsequently reacted with steam and oxygen at high temperatures and pressures so as to produce synthesis gas. The wastewater may also be recycled back to a slurry preparation stage, where solid combustible organic materials are pulverized and mixed with process water and the wastewater to form a slurry, after which the slurry fed to a gasifier where it is reacted with steam and oxygen at high temperatures and pressures so as to produce synthesis gas.

Fischer-Tropsch wastewater utilization

The invention is a process for producing hydrocarbons from hydrogen and carbon monoxide by reacting hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a particulate solid catalyst and a substantially inert liquid medium. This reaction takes place in a reactor vessel adapted for the reaction of gases in the presence of a substantially inert liquid medium and a bed of solid particulate catalyst. The hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide gas are introduced at a plurality of locations within the reactor vessel. Bubbles of gas flow upward through the bed of solid catalyst particles and substantially inert liquid medium at sufficient velocity to expand the bed to a volume greater than its static volume. This velocity creates a turbulent reaction zone wherein liquid, gas, and solid catalyst are present and are in a state of motion.

Process for optimizing hydrocarbon synthesis

Internal components for a vertical downflow reactor include a closed-ended conduit having an internal baffle and longitudinal exit slots proximate its closed end for the symmetrical introduction of quench fluid into a quench zone. An interzone mixing configuration is in vertical communication with the bottom of the quench zone. An inwardly sloping collector tray has an opening concentric with the vertical axis of the reactor vessel. A mixing device is provided for mixing the liquid and vapor components entering from above the collector tray and conveying the mixed vapor and liquid downwardly through the opening. Flow deflectors are positioned immediately below the collector tray opening for directing liquid flow towards the axial centerline of the reactor. A collection pan is positioned below and in axial alignment with the collector tray to capture and retain the liquid. A radially outwardly flared downwardly extending skirt is provided to disperse the liquid flowing from the collector pan toward the reactor walls. A continuous vertical spiral weir is provided on the surface of the collector tray to add residence time to the liquid on the tray for mixing of the liquid thereon.

Fluids mixing and distributing apparatus

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Sugar Land, TX, United States of America

Lalit S Shah