Method and reactor for performing fischer-tropsch synthesis

Abstract

Method and reactor for performing Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis with controlled steam partial pressure by introducing cool points in the FT reactor, typically in form of cooled solid surfaces. At the surface, the low temperature will force condensation of the water into a liquid film. Thereby, the partial pressure of steam in the gas and reactor will not exceed significantly the vapour partial pressure at the liquid film and water from the gas stream will be removed as it is produced, i.e. steam induced deactivation is avoided. In addition, the decrease of hydrogen and carbon monoxide partial pressures due to dilution by steam will be kept low ensuring a constant high reaction rate.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A reactor for performing Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis by reacting a synthesis gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in a fixed bed of FT synthesis catalyst particles indirectly cooled with a cooling agent, and condensing water as it is prepared on a cooling surface by adjusting pressure of the cooling agent to provide a boiling point (TBW) of the cooling agent between 50° C. and 190° C., the reactor comprising, within a common shell, the fixed bed of FT catalyst particles and cooling means adapted to indirectly cooling the FT synthesis gas with the cooling agent, wherein ratio of settled catalyst bulk volume to cooling surface area of the cooling means (VCAT/ACOOL) is between 0.01 m and 0.125 m. 
     
     
         8 . A reactor for performing Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis by reacting a synthesis gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in a fixed bed of FT synthesis catalyst particles indirectly cooled with a cooling agent, and condensing water as it is prepared on a cooling surface by adjusting pressure of the cooling agent to provide a boiling point (TBW) of the cooling agent between 50° C. and 190° C., wherein at least part of the catalyst temperature is maintained above dew point of the water by adjusting area of the cooling surface ACOOL at the provided boiling point of the cooling agent in such way that the ratio of settled catalyst bulk volume (VCAT) to the cooling surface area (ACOOL) is between 0.01 m and 0.125 m, and wherein temperature of the FT catalyst particles is maintained above the dew point of water by a heating agent including pressurized water with a boiling point between 180° C. and 280° C., steam with a dew point between 180° C. and 280° C. or a mixture thereof, the heating agent being passed through an internal heating means having a surface area so that ratio of the surface of heating means to the surface of the cooling area is between 0.3 and 3.0, the reactor comprising, within a common shell, a fixed bed of methanol catalyst particles and cooling means adapted to indirectly cooling the FT synthesis gas with the cooling agent and heating means adapted to indirectly maintaining temperature of the FT catalyst with the heating agent, wherein surface ratio of the surface of the heating means to the cooling means (VCAT/ACOOL) is between 0.3 and 3.0. 
     
     
         9 . A reactor according to  claim 7 , further comprising internal film stabilizing equipment adjacent to surface of the cooling means. 
     
     
         10 . A reactor for performing Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis by reacting a synthesis gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in a fixed bed of FT synthesis catalyst particles indirectly cooled with a cooling agent, and condensing water as it is prepared on a cooling surface by adjusting the temperature of the liquid cooling agent between 50° C. and 190° C., the reactor comprising, within a common shell, the fixed bed of FT catalyst particles and cooling means adapted to indirectly cooling the FT synthesis gas with the cooling agent, wherein ratio of settled catalyst bulk volume to cooling surface area of the cooling means (VCAT/ACOOL) is between 0.01 m and 0.125 m. 
     
     
         11 . A reactor according to  claim 8 , further comprising internal film stabilizing equipment adjacent to surface of the cooling means. 
     
     
         12 . A reactor according to  claim 10 , further comprising internal film stabilizing equipment adjacent to surface of the cooling means.