Design and scale-up of the Fischer-Tropsch bubble column slurry reactor

The Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis on a large scale is of interest, as a me ans of conversion of remote natural gas to high-quality products, particula rly, liquid transportation fuels. Recent developments have resulted in reac tors of advanced design having production capacities of 2500 bbl/day or hig her, which is more than two orders of magnitude higher than the productivit y of classical reactors operated before or during World War II. Some fundam ental aspects of these reactors, which belong to the classes of gas-solid f luidised beds, multi-tubular trickle-beds, and slurry bubble columns, are d iscussed to aid the selection and design of reactors for a specific applica tion. Special attention is given to scaling up of slurry bubble columns. Publishe d experimental work is carefully analysed, and procedures are recommended f or the estimation of the necessary design and scale-up parameters. Model ca lculations of a commercial FT reactor are presented in order to underline v arious important design and operating issues. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V . All rights reserved.