Process for the preparation of high activity carbon monoxide hydrogenation catalysts; the catalyst compositions, use of the catalysts for conducting such reactions, and the products of such reactions

Abstract

A process for the preparation of a catalyst useful for conducting carbon monoxide hydrogenation reactions, particularly Fischer-Tropsch reactions; the catalyst compositions, use of the catalyst compositions for conducting such reactions, and the products of these reactions. The steps of the process for producing the catalyst comprise impregnating a powder, or particulate refractory inorganic oxide solids, preferably silica, with a) a soluble compound or salt of a catalytic metal of the Iron Group, preferably cobalt, and b) a soluble compound, or salt, of a Group VIII noble metal, preferably platinum, suitably by sequential contact of the solids with a solution of (a) and a solution of (b), by sequential contact of the solids with a solution of (b) and a solution of (a), or by contact with a solution which contains both (a) and (b). The metals impregnated solids, or particulate solids precursor material, after impregnation with the Group VIII noble metal, is washed with a hydrocarbyl ammonium hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide solution, the material shaped, dried and calcined, and the metals components thereof thereafter reduced to form the finished catalyst. The catalyst formed from the hydrocarbyl ammonium hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide-washed catalyst precursor, quite surprisingly, is more active and selective in conducting a carbon monoxide hydrogenation reaction to produce hydrocarbon waxes, with lower gas make, than a catalyst of corresponding composition similarly prepared except that the catalyst was prepared from a catalyst precursor which was not washed with a hydrocarbyl ammonium hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide solution.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.