compact catalytic reactor for fischer-tropsch synthesis, plant for converting natural gas into longer chain hydrocarbons, and fischer-tropsch reactor

摘要

compact catalyst reactor for fischer-tropsch synthesis, plant for converting natural gas into longer chain hydrocarbons, and fischer-tropsch reactor. A compact fischer-tropsch synthesis catalyst (50) comprises a reactor module (70) having a plurality of first and second alternately arranged flow channels for conveying a mixture of gas and a refrigerant, respectively. a removable gas permeable catalyst structure (82) with a substrate, for example of sheet metal, is provided in each flow channel in which the synthesis reaction is to occur. the reactor module (70) is enclosed within a pressure vessel (90), the pressure within the pressure vessel being set at a pressure substantially equal to that of the high pressure reaction gas mixture. consequently, all flow channels within the module are either under pressure from their environment or under compression; no part is under tension. This simplifies the design of the module, and increases the proportion of reactor volume that can be occupied by the catalyst.