HYDROGENATION CATALYST AND USE THEREOF FOR HYDROGENATING FISCHER-TROPSCH ENDPRODUCTS

摘要

A hydrogenation catalyst particularly suitable for hydrogenating oxygenates in a hydrogenation unit of a Fischer-Tropsch plant is disclosed. Said catalyst comprises a metallic active portion in which the metal is a non-noble Group VIII metal and a support, characterised in that the support does not catalyse an acid catalysed reaction and wherein over 90% of the pores within the support are sized between 100 A-400 A. A preferred embodiment comprises more than 5 % and less than 20 % nickel based on a wide pore alumina support. The catalyst successfully hydrogenates oxygenates which otherwise tend to poison a catalyst in a hydroconversion unit downstream. Moreover, the temperature at which the unwanted hydrogenolysis of long chain paraffins to methane occurs is higher for one catalyst disclosed herein than a comparable known catalyst. This allows the hydrogenation plant to operate at a higher temperature.