Patent ID: 8431081
Filing Date: 2013-04-30
Classification: B01D,B01J,C10G

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a slurry bubble column extractor comprising an extraction solvent inlet configured for introduction of an extraction solvent into the slurry bubble column extractor, a gas inlet configured for introduction of gas into the slurry bubble column extractor, an overhead gas outlet configured for removal of overhead gas from the slurry bubble column extractor, a slurry inlet configured for recycle of catalyst to the slurry bubble column extractor, and a slurry outlet configured for removal of slurry from the slurry bubble column extractor; a dynamic settler comprising an inlet fluidly connected with said slurry outlet of said slurry bubble column extractor via a first conduit, and an outlet fluidly connected with said slurry inlet of said slurry bubble column extractor via a second conduit, wherein said dynamic settler is operable to separate a substantially catalyst-free liquid stream from a catalyst stream; a flash vessel fluidly connected with said dynamic settler via a clarified liquid conduit configured for removal of said substantially catalyst-free liquid stream from said dynamic settler, wherein said flash vessel is configured for separation of a vapor comprising vaporized extraction solvent from a liquid comprising Fischer-Tropsch wax; a gas/liquid separator positioned downstream of said flash vessel and fluidly connected therewith such that at least a portion of the extraction solvent removed as vapor from the flash vessel can be introduced into the gas/liquid separator, wherein said gas/liquid separator is configured for separation of an uncondensed gas from condensed extraction solvent; and a recycle line configured such that at least a portion of said condensed extraction solvent can be introduced into said extraction solvent inlet of said slurry bubble column extractor.