Patent ID: 7005456
Filing Date: 2006-02-28
Classification: B01J,C10G

Abstract:
1. A method of starting up a Fischer-Tropsch reaction in a system comprising at least one high shear mixing zone and a reactor vessel, which method comprises a) passing a suspension of a particulate Fischer-Tropsch catalyst in a liquid medium through the high shear mixing zone(s) into the reactor vessel and recycling at least a portion of the suspension to the high shear mixing zone(s) in the substantial absence of a gaseous reactant feed stream comprising synthesis gas; b) increasing the temperature and/or pressure within the reactor vessel until a threshold temperature and/or pressure is reached and subsequently introducing a gaseous reactant stream comprising synthesis gas into the high shear mixing zone(s) where the gaseous reactant stream is mixed with the suspension; c) discharging a mixture comprising synthesis gas and the suspension from the high shear mixing zone(s) into the reactor vessel; d) converting the synthesis gas to liquid hydrocarbons in the reactor vessel to form a product suspension comprising the particulate Fischer-Tropsh catalyst suspended in the liquid medium and liquid hydrocarbons; and e) recycling at least a portion of the product suspension to the high shear mixing zone(s).