Fischer-Tropsch catalyst regeneration

A method for the production of hydrocarbons, the method comprising:

• withdrawing a portion of deactivated catalyst together with liquid hydrocarbon from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor, the portion of deactivated catalyst comprising cobalt supported on a modified alumina support comprising a spinel phase;
• increasing the concentration of the deactivated catalyst in the liquid hydrocarbon at a temperature below 220° C. to produce a first deactivated catalyst composition containing from 45to 99.5% of catalyst particles on a dry weight basis;
• calcining the first deactivated catalyst composition at a temperature in the range 150 to 600° C., wherein the first deactivated catalyst composition is subjected to an oxidizing gas arranged to oxidize carbonaceous material contained in the deactivated catalyst into gaseous oxides of components of the carbonaceous material to produce a second deactivated catalyst composition;
• reactivating the second deactivated catalyst composition to produce a regenerated catalyst;
• and
• subjecting H2 and CO gases to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process in a reactor in the presence of the regenerated catalyst.