Commercial fischer-tropsch reactor

Abstract

A method for converting synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbons by introducing a synthesis gas feed into a Fischer-Tropsch system that includes a catalytic reactor fluidly connected with at least two slurry loops, the reactor comprising at least as many reactor product outlets and slurry return inlets as slurry loops; each slurry loop comprising a separation system comprising at least one separator, an inlet of each separator fluidly connected to a reactor product outlet via a slurry offtake, and an outlet of each separator fluidly connected to a slurry return inlet via a slurry return; separating concentrated catalyst slurry from the reaction product via the slurry loops; removing liquid hydrocarbon product from each separator; and returning concentrated catalyst slurry to the catalytic reactor via the slurry returns and slurry return inlets. A system for converting synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbons via the method is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A magnetic dynamic separation vessel (MDSV) comprising
 a feed conduit positioned near the geometric center of the MDSV; and   at least one magnetic component selected from the group consisting of magnetic external walls, magnetic internal walls, magnetic internal baffles, magnetic internal fins, magnetic internal rods, magnetic internal plates, magnetic fields created inside a slurry body in the MDSV, and combinations thereof;   wherein said MDSV is capable of separating a catalyst slurry having magnetic or paramagnetic properties.   
     
     
         2 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 1  comprising internal magnetized plates. 
     
     
         3 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 2 , wherein said internal magnetized plates comprises internal inclined plates. 
     
     
         4 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 1  being roughly conically shaped in the bottom zone. 
     
     
         5 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 4  comprising magnetic internal or external walls. 
     
     
         6 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 1  comprising vertical upper walls and inclined lower walls. 
     
     
         7 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one magnetic component is magnetized or is a magnetic field within the MDSV created with one or more magnets. 
     
     
         8 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 7 , wherein said one or more magnets are permanent magnets, electric coil driven magnets, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 1  comprising vertically positioned magnetized internal components. 
     
     
         10 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 1  comprising inner walls forming an annular region between the inner walls and the feed conduit. 
     
     
         11 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 10 , wherein said annular region is configured to receive a catalyst slurry; and enable heavier catalyst particles to settle down aided by gravity and magnetic field within the MDSV and nonmagnetic wax product to rise up. 
     
     
         12 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 1  comprising a wall, wherein at least a portion of said wall is magnetized. 
     
     
         13 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the lower portion of said MDSV is magnetized through magnetic surfaces or magnetic fields created inside a slurry body in the MDSV. 
     
     
         14 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 1  comprising magnetized internal components positioned at an incline. 
     
     
         15 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 1  comprising vertical walls, wherein at least a portion of the vertical walls is magnetized or magnetic fields are created inside a slurry body in the MDSV where the slurry is situated. 
     
     
         16 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 1  comprising inclined walls, wherein at least a portion of the inclined walls is magnetized. 
     
     
         17 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 1  comprising magnetized exterior walls, magnetized by at least one magnet. 
     
     
         18 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 1  comprising walls, wherein at least a portion of the walls is magnetized by a plurality of magnets. 
     
     
         19 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 1  comprising vertical magnetized rods or plates. 
     
     
         20 . The magnetic dynamic separation vessel of  claim 1  configured for a liquid linear upward velocity in the MDSV of greater than about 15 cm/h, or greater than about 30 cm/h, or greater than about 45 cm/h, or greater than about 90 cm/h.