| abstract |
The invention relates to a catalyst body comprising a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst or catalyst precursor and a porous body, said porous body being between 1-50 mm, preferably 1-30 mm in size, the catalyst body having an internal voidage between 50-95%. The invention further relates to a process comprising the steps of: (i) introducing the synthesis gas into the reactor; and (ii) contacting the synthesis gas with a non-stationary catalyst to catalytically convert the synthesis gas at an elevated temperature to obtain the normally gaseous, normally liquid, and optionally normally solid hydrocarbons from synthesis gas; wherein the catalyst of step (ii) is located on a plurality of porous bodies being 1-50 mm in size, preferably 1-30 mm in size, thus forming catalyst bodies, and wherein said catalyst bodies have an external voidage in situ in the reactor between 5-60%, and a porosity within the catalyst bodies between 50-95%. Use of catalyst bodies according to the invention provides an advantageous intermediate balance whereby such catalyst bodies are significantly easier (and therefore less costly) to separate from the products of the slurry reactor, but they are still able to be supported by the slurry, and are therefore still movable within the reactor vessel so as to seek the most even catalytic transfer and heat transfer, but without being fixed. |