CATALYST/WAX SEPARATION DEVICE FOR SLURRY FISCHER-TROPSCH REACTOR

摘要

Catalyst particles are separated from the wax in a Fisher-Tropsch reactor by feeding a portion of the reactor slurry to a dynamic settler which does not require any pump. As the slurry flows down a pipe in the center of the settler, the slurry flows into the surrounding annular region at the bottom of the settler. The heavier catalyst particles settle down and are removed as t he slurry at the bottom of the settler is recycled back to the reactor. The wax rises up in the annular section and this clarified wax is removed by a wax outlet pipe. In an embodiment with an expanded diameter section above the Fisher-Tropsch reactor an additional dynamic settler can be placed inside th is section. The Fischer-Tropsch catalyst can be regenerated by purging the catalyst with an inert gas for a period of time and by treating the catalyst with naphtha.