Processes for the production of liquid fuels from carbon containing feedstocks, related systems and catalysts

Abstract

The present invention is directed to unique processes, catalysts and systems for the direct production of liquid fuels (e.g., premium diesel fuel) from synthesis gas produced from natural feedstocks such as natural gas, natural gas liquids, carbon dioxide or other similar compounds or materials. In one aspect, the present invention provides a process for the production of a hydrocarbon mixture comprising the steps of: a) reducing a catalyst in-situ in a fixed bed reactor; b) reacting a feed gas that contains hydrogen and carbon monoxide with the catalyst to produce a hydrocarbon product stream, wherein the hydrocarbon product stream comprises light gases, a diesel fuel and a wax, and wherein the diesel fuel fraction is produced without requiring the hydroprocessing of wax, and wherein the catalyst comprises one or more metals deposited on a gamma alumina support at greater than about 5 weight percent, and wherein platinum or rhenium is included on the support in an amount ranging from about 0.01 weight percent and about 2 weight percent as a promoter, and wherein the catalyst has surface pore diameters between about 100 and 150 Angstroms, sub-surface pore diameters between 10 and 30 Angstroms a crush strength greater than about 3 lbs./mm, a mean effective pellet radius less than about 600 microns, and a BET surface area greater than about 100 m2/g, and wherein the diesel fuel comprises more than about 70 percent C8-C24 hydrocarbons.

1 . A process for the production of a hydrocarbon mixture comprising the steps of: reacting a feed gas that contains hydrogen and carbon monoxide with the catalyst to produce a hydrocarbon product stream, wherein the hydrocarbon product stream comprises light gases, liquid fuels and wax, and wherein the liquid fuel fraction is produced directly without requiring the hydroprocessing of wax, and wherein the catalyst comprises one or more metals deposited on an alumina support at greater than about 5 weight percent, and wherein platinum group metals are included on the support in an amount ranging from about 0.01 weight percent to about 2 weight percent as a promoter, and wherein the catalyst has surface pore diameters greater than about 100 Angstroms, sub-surface pore diameters less than about 30 Angstroms, a crush strength greater than about 3 lbs./mm, a mean effective pellet radius less than about 600 microns, and a BET surface area greater than about 100 m 2 /g, 
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid fuel fraction, consisting primarily of C 5 -C 24  hydrocarbons, comprises more than about 70 percent of the total hydrocarbon products produced. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is reduced in-situ with hydrogen at temperatures below 550° C. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst support is neutral in which a neutral surface is defined as one for which the surface acidity is less than about 0.25 millimole per gram as measured by a colorimetric titration with n-propyl amine using a methyl red indicator. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the diesel fuel fraction is about ⅔ of the liquid fuel product produced. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the wax is less than 10% of the of the total wax and liquid hydrocarbon products. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the wax is less than 2% of the of the total wax and liquid hydrocarbon products. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the supported catalyst comprises a lobed support with four lobes and wherein two of the lobes are longer than the other two lobes. 
     
     
         9 . A system for the production of diesel fuel, wherein the system comprises a reactor that includes a catalyst, and wherein the catalyst comprises one or more metals deposited on an alumina support at greater than about 5 weight percent, and wherein one or more platinum group metals are included on the support in an amount ranging from about 0.01 weight percent to about 2 weight percent as a promoter, and wherein the catalyst has surface pore diameters greater than about 100 Angstroms, sub-surface pore diameters less than about 30 Angstroms, a crush strength greater than about 3 lbs./mm, a mean effective pellet radius less than about 600 microns, and a BET surface area greater than about 100 m 2 /g and wherein the catalyst is reduced with hydrogen at temperatures below about 550° C., and wherein the diesel fuel fraction is about ⅔ of the liquid fuel product produced, and wherein the supported catalyst comprises a lobed support with four lobes.