Fischer-tropsch catalyst activation

Abstract

A process for converting a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide to a hydrocarbon composition comprising one or more optionally oxygenated hydrocarbons, the process comprising the following steps: (a) providing a first catalyst material comprising cobalt (e.g., in the form of oxide) disposed on a support; (b) contacting the first catalyst material with carbon monoxide at a first pressure (P1) and a first temperature (T1) to provide a passivated catalyst material, wherein P1 is at least 5 bara, and T1 is at most 250° C.; (c) contacting the passivated catalyst material with a reducing agent at a second temperature (T2) and a second pressure (P2) to form an activated catalyst material, P1 is greater than or equal to P2, and wherein T2 is at least 300° C.; and (d) contacting the activated catalyst material with a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.