Method for optimizing the operation of a hydrocarbon synthesis unit starting from synthesis gas, by controlling the partial pressure of CO

#The present invention relates to the field of the synthesis of hydrocarbons from a mixture comprising carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2) and possibly carbon dioxide (CO2), generally known as synthesis gas.

#The method of the invention means that the operation of a unit for synthesizing hydrocarbons starting from synthesis gas, this synthesis also being known as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, can be optimized.

#The method of the invention is a method for controlling the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in which the partial pressure of carbon monoxide, optionally associated with the ratio of the partial pressures of water and hydrogen, PH2O:PH2, and/or with the partial pressure of water in the reaction section, is(are) used as control parameter(s) for said Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

#The present invention concerns a method for optimizing the operation of a reaction section for the synthesis of hydrocarbons from a feed comprising synthesis gas, operated in the presence of at least one catalyst comprising cobalt, said method comprising the following steps: a) determining the theoretical partial pressure of CO in the reaction section; b) optionally, adjusting the partial pressure of CO determined in step a) to a value of 4 bar or higher using at least one means selected from the means described below; c) determining a new value for the theoretical partial pressure of CO in the reaction section to ensure that it has reached a value or 4 bar or higher.

#The method of the invention is a method for controlling and optimizing the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in which the partial pressure of carbon monoxide in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction section is used as a parameter for control and optimization of this synthesis. The method of the invention allows the function of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction section to be improved by increasing the service life of the catalyst.

#The present invention envisages the synthesis of a mixture of hydrocarbons preferably formed from long carbon chain compounds, i.e. hydrocarbon compounds containing more than 5 carbon atoms per molecule and preferably containing more than 20 carbon atoms per molecule, in the presence of at least one catalyst comprising cobalt. The hydrocarbons formed are mainly paraffins. This synthesis is carried out starting from synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen and possibly carbon dioxide: it is the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.