Method for activating an iron-based fischer-tropsch catalyst
AssigneeRentech, Inc.
InventorsDennis L. Yakobson, Elijah C. Philipp, Mark S. Bohn
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Abstract
A method for transforming at least a part of the catalyst precursor hematite into x-carbide (Fe5C2) and ε′-carbide (FeC2.2) without a large amount of fines generation. This method slows the transformation of the hematite to iron carbides by reducing the partial pressure of the synthesis gas by inert gas dilution. The activation time is about three to about five hours.
Claims10
A method for reducing a generation of fine catalyst particles during activation of an iron-based catalyst precursor, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a slurry comprising an iron-based catalyst precursor in a liquid medium;
- exposing said iron-based catalyst precursor to a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide for a predetermined activation;
- and
- diluting said synthesis gas with an inert gas during said activation period, thereby forming an inducting environment wherein catalyst fines caused by the transformation of iron oxides to iron carbides is reduced,
- wherein an amount of said inert gas ranges from about 3 to about 4 times an amount of said synthesis gas.
A method for activating an iron-based catalyst precursor without a large amount of fines generation, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a Fischer-Tropsch slurry comprising iron-based catalyst precursor comprising hematite in a liquid medium;
- exposing said iron-based catalyst precursor to a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide for a predetermined activation period;
- and
- slowing the transformation of the hematite in the iron-based catalyst precursor to iron carbides by reducing the partial pressure of the synthesis gas by inert gas dilution,
- wherein a ratio of dilution gas to a sum of hydrogen and carbon monoxide ranges from about 3 to about 4.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.