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 a first reducing agent at a first temperature (T1) and a first pressure (P1) to form a reduced catalyst material; (c) contacting the reduced catalyst material with carbon monoxide at a second pressure (P2) and a second temperature (T2) to provide a passivated catalyst material, wherein P2 is at least 5 bara, and T2 is at most 250° C.; (d) contacting the passivated catalyst material with a second reducing agent at a third temperature (T3) and a third pressure (P3) to form an activated catalyst material, P2 is greater than or equal to P3, and wherein T3 is at least 300° C.; and (e) contacting the activated catalyst material with a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.