PROCESS FOR UPFLOW FIXED-BED HYDROPROCESSING OF FISCHER-TROPSCH WAX

摘要

An integrated process for producing a liquid hydrocarbon stream from Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon product without having to remove particulate contaminants such as catalyst fines from hot Fischer-Tropsch wax is disclosed. The process involves performing Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, preferably under conditions which favor formation of wax and heavy products (i.e., using a catalyst with high chain growth probabilities), and obtaining a waxy heavy fraction including particulate contaminants. The fraction is subjected to hydroprocessing conditions, preferably upflow hydroprocessing conditions, using a catalyst bed which, through judicious selection of hydroprocessing catalysts and/or flow conditions, permits passage of the particulate contaminants. The particulates are then removed from the upgraded liquid product, for example by filtration, distillation and/or centrifugation. Removal of the particulate contaminants from the upgraded liquid hydrocarbon products is significantly easier than removing the particulates from the unprocessed waxy heavy products.