TITLE: Slurry F-T Reactor Hydrodynamics and Scale-Up.

AUTHOR: D. N. Smith;   W. O'Dowd;   J. A. Ruether;   G. J. Stiegel;   Y. T. Shah.

INST.  AUTHOR: Department of Energy, Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center.

SPONSOR: Pittsburgh Univ., PA.*Department of Energy, Washington, DC.

LANGUAGE: English

PUB.  TYPE: Technical Report

PUB.  COUNTRY: United States

SOURCE: Department of Energy [DE],  1984,  32p.

NTIS ORDER NO.: DE85013227/INW

NOTES: DOE contractors' conference on indirect liquefaction, Washington, PA, USA, 30 Oct 1984.

ABSTRACT:

The Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis of hydrocarbons by the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide over a catalyst via the indirect liquefaction route has only been demonstrated on a commercial scale in fixed-bed and entrained-bed reactors. The slurry reactor has been found to offer important advantages, such as low H sub 2 /CO feed ratios and isothermal stability on the laboratory and pilot-plant scale. Recent findings concerning slurry bubble column hydrodynamics are presented, and their relevance to slurry F-T reactor design and scale-up are discussed. The need for optimization of a slurry F-T reactor is apparent owing in large part to the nonselective formation of products on the catalyst, and the influence of hydrodynamics on the overall conversion of reactants. In this regard, the important transport resistances in the formation of products, and the influence of reactor dimensions on reactor performance are discussed. 9 refs., 14 figs., 1 tab. (ERA citation 10:048314)

REPORT  NUMBER: CONF-8410328-1