Catalytic reactor
AssigneeCompactGTL plc
InventorClive Derek Lee-Tuffnell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A compact catalytic reactor for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis defines a multiplicity of first and second flow channels arranged alternately in the reactor, for carrying a gas mixture which undergoes Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and a coolant fluid, respectively. Each first flow channel contains a removable gas-permeable catalyst structure incorporating a metal substrate. A multiplicity of flow paths are defined through the catalyst structure, and the voidage, that is to say the proportion of the cross-sectional area of the first flow channel constituted by the said multiplicity of flow paths, is between 25% and 70%. This provides an optimum balance between productivity and selectivity, so that operation of the reactor can be economic and controllable.
Claims16
A compact catalytic reactor for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis defining a multiplicity of first and second flow channels arranged alternately in the reactor;
- wherein the first flow channels are configured to carry a gas mixture which undergoes Fischer-Tropsch synthesis;
- wherein the second flow channels are configured to carry a coolant fluid;
- and
- wherein each first flow channel contains a removable gas-permeable catalyst structure comprising a non-porous metal substrate with continuous ceramic coating of substantially uniform thickness no more than 200 μm on at least one surface of said substrate, said ceramic coating incorporating catalytic material, said catalyst structure defining mesopores and macropores providing a pore surface area in the range 80-120 m2/g, and said catalyst structure being shaped for defining a multiplicity of bulk flow paths therethrough, wherein the voidage which comprises the proportion of the cross-sectional area of the first flow channel constituted by the said multiplicity of bulk flow paths is between 60% and 72%.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.