Catalyst structure

Abstract

A process for the synthesis of hydrocarbons in a three phase reactor comprising the steps of: (i) introducing synthesis gas into the reactor; (ii) causing the synthesis gas to be contacted with a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst; and (iii) removing products from the reactor, wherein step (i) comprises introducing some or all of the synthesis gas into the reactor at or near the bottom of the reactor; and step (ii) comprises contacting the synthesis gas with a catalyst structure immobilised within the reactor, wherein the catalyst structure comprises one or more porous catalyst elements fixable within the reactor, each of said porous catalyst elements being at least 1 cm, preferably at least 10 cm, in size and wherein the open volume within each porous catalyst element is at least 60% (with reference to the volume of the porous catalyst elements) and each porous catalyst element includes a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst material.