Sasol Technology (Pty) Limited

Riaan Bekker

Matthys Josephus Janse Van Vuuren

Johannes Jacobus Huyser

Ryno Kotze

This invention relates to a Fischer Tropsch process using a catalyst activated in accordance with the invention. More particularly the invention relates to a three phase Low Temperature Fischer Tropsch process wherein CO and Hare converted to hydrocarbons and possibly oxygenates thereof by contacting syngas including CO and Hin the presence of an iron based Fischer Tropsch catalyst, wherein the ratio of H:CO in the feed is between 2.5 and 1, and wherein the iron based Fischer Tropsch catalyst is activated according to the steps of: (a) providing an iron catalyst including iron in a positive oxidation state; and (b) contacting the iron catalyst in a reactor with a reducing gas selected from CO and a combination of Hand CO; at a temperature of at least 245&#xb0; C. and below 280&#xb0; C.; at a reducing gas pressure of above 0.5 MPa and not more than 2.2 MPa; and at a GHSV of total gas fed to the reactor of at least 6000 ml(N)/g cat/h, thereby reducing the iron that is in a positive oxidation step in the catalyst.

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Sasolburg, South Africa

Riaan Bekker