Conversion of low H/sub 2//CO ratio synthesis gas to hydrocarbons. Progress report, October 1-December 31, 1982

Further experiments were carried out to see if mass-transfer resistance in the Fischer-Tropsch slurry reactor influence the rate of the synthesis reaction. The results indicate that, with the fused iron catalyst currently being used, mass transfer resistances have no effect on the rate. The data obtained enables us to examine the effects of temperature, pressure, and catalyst pretreatment on the rate of carbon formation in the slurry reactor. The rate of carbon formation relative to hydrocarbon formation is a strong function of the degree of reduction of the catalyst, but shows no dependence on total pressure temperature. Calculations were carried out to assess the influence of column diameter on mixing and H/sub 2//CO ratios in the slurry. It was found that for a reactor 10 cm in diameter, the behaves as if the liquid and gas are unmixed, while a ractor of diameter 75 cm shows well-stirred behavior in both phases. 3 figs.