Patent ID: 8399526

Claim:
A method for optimizing the operation of a reaction section for hydrocarbon synthesis starting from a feed comprising synthesis gas, operated in the presence of a catalyst comprising cobalt, and flowing said feed into a reaction zone said method comprising the following steps: a) determining the theoretical molar ratio, P H2O :P H2 , in the reaction section; b) adjusting the ratio P H2O :P H2 determined in step a) to a value strictly below 1.1 by any of the following steps: i. increasing the feed flow rate; ii. providing a reaction section or at least one reactor of said section with a recycler for unconverted gas, and adjusting resultant recycle ratio; iii. continuously eliminating all or part of the water formed by the reaction; iv. modifying the ratio H 2 /CO at the inlet to the reaction section for hydrocarbon synthesis or to at least one hydrocarbon synthesis reactor; v. reducing the operating temperature; vi. reducing the pressure; c) determining the new value for the theoretical ratio P H2O :P H2 in the reaction section.