Fischer-tropsch catalyst activation procedure

摘要

A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst activation system including separation apparatus configured for separating a product gas comprising primarily hydrogen from a gas stream comprising hydrogen, an activation reactor fluidly connected with the separation apparatus via an activation gas inlet line whereby the product gas may be introduced into the activation reactor, and a circulation loop fluidly connecting a gas outlet of the activation reactor with the activation gas inlet line or with another gas inlet of the activation reactor and fluidly connecting the activation reactor with one or more apparatus configured for removal of H2O. A method of activating a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst is also provided.

主权项

1. A method of activating a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, the method comprising:
introducing an activation gas into a circulation loop of an activation reactor until a desired activation pressure is attained, wherein the activation gas comprises product gas separated from a gas stream and comprising hydrogen and at least one component selected from the group consisting of carbon monoxide and water vapor, wherein the activation reactor contains the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to be activated, and wherein the circulation loop is configured for recycle exit gas comprising hydrogen to the activation reactor; circulating gas through the circulation loop and heating the activation reactor to a circulation temperature less than an activation temperature at which the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst is reduced, whereby at least a portion of any carbon monoxide is converted into an inert component with the production of water vapor, and wherein circulating gas through the circulation loop comprises removing at least a portion of any H2O introduced with the product gas, at least a portion of any H2O formed via conversion of carbon monoxide, at least a portion of any H2O formed via reduction of catalyst from a higher oxide to a lower oxide, or some combination thereof; maintaining circulation as a closed loop system; measuring the concentration of at least one of the carbon monoxide in the closed circulation loop or the H2O in the closed circulation loop; continuing to maintain circulation as a closed loop system until at least one of the measured concentration of carbon monoxide in the closed circulation loop is below a desired CO concentration within a range of from less than about 10 ppmv to less than about 0.1 ppmv or the measured concentration of H2O in the closed circulation loop is below a desired H2O concentration less than about 100 ppmv; and raising the temperature of the activation reactor to the activation temperature.