Removal of ultra-fine particles from a Fischer Tropsch Stream

Abstract

This invention relates to processes for removing particles such as catalyst fines from hydrocarbon streams, such as a wax dried from a Fischer Tropsch reaction using centrifugation in combination with a treatment with an aqueous solution preferably containing an acid, or with an acid. According to an aspect of the invention, catalyst particles are removed from a wax derived from a Fischer Tropsch by pre-treating the hydrocarbon stream with an aqueous solution and forming a mixture comprising the hydrocarbon stream and 5-25% v/v organic acid solution; and introducing the mixture to a centrifuge and separating, from the mixture, a hydrocarbon stream, an aqueous solution and particles. The process may be a continuous and/or a batch process.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.