The Applicant is aware of known processes for preparing cobalt based catalyst precursors and which involve slurry phase impregnation of a catalyst support with a cobalt salt, drying of the impregnated catalyst support, and calcination of the dried impregnated catalyst support, to achieve a desired cobalt loading of the support. The resultant precursors are then activated by reduction thereof, to obtain cobalt based Fischer- Tropsch catalysts. These catalysts can display good intrinsic activities when used for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis; however, catalysts having enhanced or superior intrinsic activities cannot readily be obtained using the known processes. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a cobalt based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst having enhanced initial and/or stabilized intrinsic Fischer-Tropsch synthesis activity, as well as a process for preparing such a catalyst.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cobalt based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, the catalyst including a porous catalyst support and metallic cobalt crystallites within the support, and the catalyst having i. a proportion of its cobalt in reducible form, with this proportion being expressible as Q mass %, based on the total pre-reduced catalyst mass; ii. when freshly reduced, a mono-modal Gaussian metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution; iii. when freshly reduced, a metallic cobalt surface area, in m2 per gram of catalyst, of from 0. 14H to 1.0352; and iv. when freshly reduced, a catalyst geometry that ensures a stabilized Fischer-Tropsch synthesis effectiveness factor of 0.9 or greater.

It was surprisingly found that the cobalt based catalyst of the first aspect of the invention displayed enhanced initial and stabilized intrinsic Fischer- Tropsch activity.

By'stabilized Fischer-Tropsch synthesis effectiveness factor'is meant the effectiveness factor of the stabilized catalyst. A stabilized cobalt based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst is defined as a catalyst that has been conditioned completely during slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch synthesis at realistic Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions using an ultra pure synthesis gas, ie a synthesis gas that contains no contaminant compounds other than H2 and CO that could affect catalytic deactivation.

By'realistic Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions'is meant reaction conditions of 225 5°C and 20 bar, and % (H2 + CO) conversion of 60 10% using a feed gas comprising about 50 vol % H2, about 25 vol % CO, and with the balance being Ar, N2, CH4 and/or CO2.

By'freshly reduced'is meant a catalyst that has been activated without subjecting such a catalyst to Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

In this specification, unless explicitly otherwise stated, where reference is made to catalyst mass, the mass given pertains to the calcined catalyst mass or pre-reduced catalyst mass, ie the catalyst mass before any reduction of the catalyst is effected.

Preferably, the metallic cobalt surface area of the catalyst, when freshly reduced, may be, in m2 per gram of catalyst, from 0,28Q to 0, 89Q.

The sizes of a majority of the cobalt crystallites may be greater than 8 nm.

It was surprisingly found that the supported cobalt catalysts of the present invention with their large cobalt crystallites, ie with the majority of metallic cobalt crystallite sizes greater than 8 nm and thus relatively low cobalt metal areas, were not severely affected by oxidation. With these catalysts, while their time zero (ie at the start of a run) intrinsic activities, when used for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, may be lower than those of supported cobalt catalysts having smaller cobalt crystallites (i. e. having the majority of cobalt crystallite sizes smaller than 8 nm), superior or enhanced initial and stabilized intrinsic activities were surprisingly obtained since there was much less deactivation with the novel catalysts than with supported cobalt catalysts having the majority metallic cobalt crystallite sizes smaller than, or equal to, 8 nm.

The porous catalyst support may be a calcined support. Thus, the supported cobalt catalyst of the first aspect of the invention may be that obtained by impregnating a porous catalyst support with cobalt or a

cobalt precursor, particularly cobalt nitrate, calcining the impregnated support to obtain a cobalt catalyst precursor; and reducing the catalyst precursor to obtain the supported cobalt catalyst.

The catalyst support may be a modified catalyst support. The modified catalyst support may comprise catalyst support particles coated with a modifying agent, which may be carbon or one or more metals of Group IA and/or Group IIA of the Periodic Table of Elements, ie one of more metals selected from Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr, Be, Mg, Ca, St, Ba, Ra and mixtures thereof. It was found that the catalyst had a surprisingly large increase in initial intrinsic activity when used for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and hence a surprisingly high stabilized intrinsic activity, when a modified catalyst support was used, particularly when a carbon or barium coated support was used.

When barium is used to coat the support, the maximum amount of barium that can be used is determined by the influence of the barium on the pore volume of the support as well as on the solubility of the barium precursor. The pore volume of the support should be large enough to accommodate the required amount of cobalt nitrate to be able to obtain a supported cobalt catalyst with the required cobalt loading. The solubility of the barium precursor should be large enough to be able to add the barium precursor in one impregnation step to the support. In practice the maximum amount of barium may be 10% by mass, based on the catalyst mass. The minimum amount of barium is determined by the minimum amount of barium that is effective in increasing the stabilized intrinsic Fischer-Tropsch activity of the cobalt catalysts, and may be 0,2% by mass.

When carbon is used to coat the support, the maximum amount of carbon that can be used as an effective coating is determined by the

influence of the carbon coating on the pore volume of the original catalyst support, as the pore volume of the catalyst support determines how much cobalt can be impregnated into the catalyst support. This is particularly important when a catalyst with a relatively high cobalt loading is required. Similarly, the minimum amount of carbon that can be used as an effective coating is determined by the minimum level of carbon that still provides the required positive effect on the stabilized intrinsic Fischer-Tropsch synthesis performance of the cobalt catalyst.

Thus, the maximum level of carbon may be 40g C/1 OOg support, preferably 20g Cl1 OOg support, and more preferably 1 Og C/1 OOg support, while the minimum level of carbon may be 0. 1 g C/1 OOg support, preferably 0.5g C/1 OOg support, and more preferably 1.2g C/lOOg support.

In principle, the coating of the catalyst support particles can be effected by any suitable method. For example, the carbon coated catalyst support may be prepared by coating pre-shaped spherical porous catalyst support particles with a uniform carbon based layer in accordance with the method as described in EP 0681868, which is hence incorporated herein by reference.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a cobalt based catalyst precursor, which includes a porous catalyst support and cobalt oxide crystallites within the support, the precursor having a proportion of its cobalt in reducible form, with this proportion being expressible as K2 mass %, based on the total precursor mass, and with the precursor being capable of yielding, on fresh reduction thereof, a catalyst having a mono-modal Gaussian metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution; a metallic cobalt surface area, in m2 per gram of catalyst, of

from 0.1 4Q to 1.03Q; and a catalyst geometry that ensures a stabilized Fischer-Tropsch synthesis effectiveness factor of 0.9 or greater.

The porous catalyst support of the precursor may be the same as that of the catalyst of the first aspect of the invention, and may thus be a modified catalyst support as hereinbefore described.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for preparing a cobalt based catalyst precursor, which process comprises in a support impregnation stage, impregnating a particulate porous modified catalyst support with a cobalt salt, and partially drying the impregnated support, to obtain a partially dried impregnated support; and in a calcination stage, calcining the partially dried impregnated support to obtain the cobalt based catalyst precursor, with the precursor comprising calcined porous modified catalyst support particles containing cobalt oxide crystallites, and the precursor having a proportion of its cobalt in reducible form, with this proportion being expressible as Q mass %, based on the total precursor mass, and with the precursor being capable of yielding, on fresh reduction thereof, a catalyst having a mono- modal Gaussian metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution; a metallic cobalt surface area, in m2 per gram of catalyst, of from 0.14Q to 1.03f2; and a catalyst geometry that ensures a stabilized Fischer- Tropsch synthesis effectiveness factor of 0.9 or greater.

The resultant cobalt catalyst precursor will thus, in practice, be reduced to obtain the cobalt catalyst, which will thus have the enhanced or superior initial as well as stabilized intrinsic activity.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for preparing a cobalt based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, which process comprises

in a support impregnation stage, impregnating a particulate porous modified catalyst support with a cobalt salt, and partially drying the impregnated support, to obtain a partially dried impregnated support; in a calcination stage, calcining the partially dried impregnated support to obtain a cobalt based catalyst precursor, with the precursor comprising calcined porous modified catalyst support particles containing cobalt oxide crystallites ; and in a reduction stage, reducing the cobalt catalyst precursor, to obtain a cobalt based catalyst which has (i) a proportion of its cobalt in reducible form, with this proportion being expressible as S2 mass %, based on the total pre-reduced catalyst mass; (ii) when freshly reduced, a mono-modal Gaussian metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution; (iii) when freshly reduced, a metallic cobalt surface area, in m2 per gram of catalyst, of from 0.14Q to 1.03Q; and (iv) when freshly reduced, a catalyst geometry that ensures a stabilized Fischer-Tropsch synthesis effectiveness factor of 0.9 or greater.

The cobalt salt may, in particular, be cobalt nitrate, Co (NO3) 2. 6H20.

The modified catalyst support may be any commercially available porous oxidic catalyst support, such as alumina (Al203), silica (SiO2), a silica- alumina (SiO2-AI203), titania (TiO2) and magnesia (MgO), coated with carbon or one or more metals of Group IA and/or Group II of the Periodic Table of Elements as a modifying agent, as hereinbefore described.

The support may be a protected modified catalyst support, containing, for example, silicon as a modifying component, as described in WO 99/42214 and which is hence incorporated herein by reference.

The processes according to the third and fourth aspects may, if necessary, include preparing the modified support, ie they may include

modifying the support particles by coating them with the modifying agent.

The support impregnation may, in principle, be effected by any known impregnation method, eg incipient wetness impregnation, or slurry phase impregnation. Similarly, the calcination may be performed in any known calcination unit, eg fluidized bed, fixed bed, furnace, rotary kiln, and/or torbed calciner, preferably at temperatures between 150°C and 400°C, more preferably between 200°C and 300°C. In particular, the calcination may be in accordance with that described in US 60/168, 604, and which is thus incorporated herein by reference. The calcination may thus involve fluidized bed calcination as described in US 60/168,604.

The cobalt based catalyst precursor may be obtained by a 2-step slurry phase impregnation, drying and calcination process. The 2-step process includes, in a first step, impregnating the catalyst support with the cobalt salt, partially drying the impregnated support, and calcining the partially dried support, to obtain a calcined material, and thereafter, in a second step, impregnating the calcined material with the cobalt salt, partially drying the impregnated material, and calcining the partially dried material, to obtain the catalyst precursor.

The process may include partially reducing the calcined material prior to impregnating it with the cobalt salt. The partial reduction of the calcined material may be effected at a temperature of 100°C to 300°C, more preferably at a temperature of 1 ° C to 250°C. The partial reduction of the calcined material may be effected by contacting the calcined material with a hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide containing gas as a reducing gas.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for preparing a cobalt catalyst precursor, which process comprises in a first step, in a support impregnation stage, impregnating a particulate porous catalyst support with a cobalt salt, and partially drying the impregnated support, and, in a calcination stage, calcining the partially dried impregnated support, to obtain a calcined material ; at least partially reducing the calcined material; and thereafter in a second step, in a support impregnation stage, impregnating the at least partially reduced material with a cobalt salt, and partially drying the impregnated material, and, in a calcination stage, calcining the partially dried impregnated material, to obtain the cobalt catalyst precursor, with the precursor comprising the calcined porous catalyst support with cobalt oxide crystallites present therein, and having a proportion of its cobalt in reducible form, with this proportion being expressible as Q mass %, based on the total precursor mass, and with the precursor being capable of yielding, on fresh reduction thereof, a catalyst having a mono-modal Gaussian metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution; a metallic cobalt surface area, in m2 per gram of catalyst, of from 0,14 Q to 1,03 S2 ; and a catalyst geometry that ensures a stabilized Fischer-Tropsch synthesis effectiveness factor of 0.9 or greater.

As discussed hereinbefore, the resultant cobalt catalyst precursor will thus, in practice, be reduced to obtain the cobalt catalyst, which will thus have the enhanced or superior initial as well as stabilized intrinsic activity.

Thus, according to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for preparing a cobalt catalyst, which process comprises in a first step, in a support impregnation stage, impregnating a particulate porous catalyst support with a cobalt salt, and partially drying

the impregnated support, and, in a calcination stage, calcining the partially dried impregnated support, to obtain a calcined material ; at least partially reducing the calcined material ; in a second step, in a support impregnation stage, impregnating the at least partially reduced material with a cobalt salt, and partially drying the impregnated material, and, in a calcination stage, calcining the partially dried impregnated material, to obtain the cobalt catalyst precursor, with the precursor comprising the calcined porous catalyst support with cobalt oxide crystallites present therein, and having a proportion of its cobalt in reducible form, with this proportion being expressible as Q mass %, based on the total precursor mass, and with the precursor being capable of yielding, on fresh reduction thereof, a catalyst having a mono-modal Gaussian metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution; a metallic cobalt surface area from 0,14 Q m2 to 1,03 Cl m, per gram of catalyst ; and a catalyst geometry that ensures a stabilized Fischer-Tropsch synthesis effectiveness factor of 0.9 or greater; and in a reduction stage, reducing the cobalt catalyst precursor, to obtain the supported cobalt catalyst which (i) has a proportion of its cobalt in reducible form, with this proportion being expressible as S2 mass %, based on the total pre-reduced catalyst mass; (ii) has, when freshly reduced, a mono-modal Gaussian metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution; (iii) has, when freshly reduced, a metallic cobalt surface area, in m2 per gram of catalyst, of from 0,14 Q to 1,03 Q ; and (iv) has, when freshly reduced, a catalyst geometry that ensures a stabilized Fischer-Tropsch synthesis effectiveness factor of 0.9 or greater.

The catalyst support may be a modified catalyst support, as hereinbefore described. The support may even be a protected modified catalyst support, as hereinbefore described. The processes according to the fifth

and sixth aspects may, if necessary, include preparing the modified support.

The cobalt salt may, in the processes of the fifth and sixth aspects, be cobait nitrate.

The support impregnation, drying and calcination may, in particular, be in accordance with the process described in our copending WO 00/20116, which is thus incorporated herein by reference. The precursor preparation may thus involve a 2-step slurry phase impregnation, drying and calcination process as described in WO 00/20116, which is dependant on a desired active component loading requirement and the pore volume of the porous oxidic catalyst support.

The support impregnation and drying may typically be effected in a conical vacuum drier with a rotating screw or in a tumbling vacuum drier.

The catalyst precursor may contain between 5g Co/100g support and 70g Co/100g support, preferably between 20g Co/100g support and 50g Co/100g support.

During either of the two slurry phase impregnation steps, a water soluble precursor salt of palladium (Pd) or platinum (Pt) or a mixture of such salts may be added, as a dopant capable of enhancing the reducibility of the cobalt. Preferably, the dopant is added in a mass proportion of the palladium metal, the platinum metal or the mixture of palladium and platinum metals to the cobalt metal of between 0,01: 100 to 0,3: 100.

The invention extends also to a cobalt catalyst, when produced by the process of the fourth or sixth aspect of the invention, and to a cobalt

catalyst precursor, when produced by the process of the third or fifth aspect of the invention.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for producing hydrocarbons, which includes contacting synthesis gas comprising hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) at an elevated temperature between 180°C and 250°C and an elevated pressure between 10 and 40 bar with a cobalt catalyst according to the invention, in a slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch reaction of the hydrogen with the carbon monoxide, to obtain hydrocarbons.

The invention extends also to hydrocarbons when produced by the process as hereinbefore described.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following non-limiting examples and with reference to the drawings.

In the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows the deactivation behaviour of catalyst B during a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis demonstration run, and the effect of the introduction of a ZnO guard bed in the APG feed on the deactivation behaviour; FIGURE 2 shows the deactivation rate of catalyst B in a laboratory micro CSTR Fischer-Tropsch synthesis run, due to the introduction of H2S at a level of 190 vppb and a space velocity of 2.22 m3n/(kg catalyst. h); FIGURE 3 shows a superimposition of the Relative Intrinsic Activity Factor (R. I. A. F.) profiles of 5 selected micro slurry phase CSTR Fischer- Tropsch synthesis runs on catalyst B; FIGURES 4 is a proposed bi-modal Gaussian crystallite population present in a freshly reduced sample of catalyst B;

FIGURE 5 is a proposed bi-modal Gaussian probability distribution of the metallic cobalt content of a freshly reduced sample of catalyst B; FIGURE 6 is an illustration of the postulated influence of oxidation as deactivation mechanism during slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch operation under realistic synthesis conditions as applied to catalyst B; FIGURE 7 is the relationship between the relative intrinsic (Fisher- Tropsch) activity factors and the specific metallic cobalt area of freshly reduced supported 19,5 mass % cobalt catalysts, displaying a mono- modal Gaussian crystallite size distribution; FIGURE 8 is the relationship between the relative intrinsic (Fisher- Tropsch) activity factors and the specific metallic cobalt surface area of freshly reduced supported cobalt catalysts displaying a mono-modal Gaussian crystallite size distribution; FIGURE 9 is a superimposition of the temperature programmed reduction profiles of the finally calcined catalyst precursors of catalyst B and catalyst F; FIGURE 1 0 is a superimposition of the temperature programmed reduction profiles of the finally calcined catalyst precursors of catalyst B and catalyst E; FIGURE 11 is a superimposition of the temperature programmed reduction profiles of the finally calcined catalyst precursors of catalyst B and catalyst G; and FIGURE 12 is a correlation between observed initial relative intrinsic activity factors of Co/A1203 slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch catalyst E and the total Co (NO3) 2. 6H20 loading per m2 of SASOL Germany GmbH's product: Puralox SCCa 5/150.

EXAMPLE 1 Catalyst B (30p Co/l OOg A'20,) (not in accordance with the invention) 1.1 Preparation A Pt promoted catalyst was prepared on SASOL Germany GmbH's trademark product: Puralox SCCa 5/150, as a selected pre-shaped Al203 support, in accordance with the method of aqueous slurry phase impregnation and vacuum drying, followed by direct fluidized bed calcination, in accordance with Catalyst Example 1 of WO 00/20116, or one of Catalysts D, E, G or H of US 601168, 604.

In preparation for. laboratory scale slurry phase continuous stirred tank reactor ('CSTR') Fischer-Tropsch synthesis runs, this calcined material was reduced and wax coated in accordance with the following procedure: 27,5g of the catalyst was reduced at 1 bar pure H2 (space velocity > 200m X n H2/g catalyst/h) whilst the temperature was increased from 25°C to 380°C-425°C at a rate of 1 °C/min whereafter the temperature was kept constant at this temperature of 380°C-425°C for 16 hours.

The reduced catalyst was allowed to cool down to room temperature at which stage the hydrogen was replaced by argon, and the catalyst unloaded in molten Fischer-Tropsch wax under the protection of an argon blanket. This wax coated catalyst was then transferred to the slurry reactor.

The following characteristics apply to the catalyst: a catalyst sample comprising 30g Co and 100g Al203, has a calcined mass (before any reduction) of 153, 8g and a freshly reduced mass of 133, 8g.

1.2 CSTR Fischer-Tropsch synthesis run

An extended slurry phase CSTR Fischer-Tropsch synthesis run (number 106F) was performed on catalyst B. This run lasted about ('ca') 90 days, during which the following synthesis conditions were maintained: Reactor temperature : 220, 5°C Reactor pressure 20,3 bar Catalyst inventory : 20,8g (H2 + CO) space velocity : 2169m #n/(g catalyst. h) APG space velocity. 2452mEn/(g catalyst. h), where'APG'is an acronym for Arge Pure Gas, ie the commercial synthesis gas produced at Schumann- Sasol (Pty) Limited in Sasolburg, South Africa, according to the method of coal gasification, followed by Rectisol (trademark) purification.

Feed gas composition: H2 49, 1 vol% CO : 25,9 vol% CH4 : 9,3 vol% CO2 : O, 5 vol% Ar : 15, 2 vol% An evaluation of the observed synthesis performance data of this run (ie 106F) resulted in the following conclusions: -an initial R. I. A. F. of 2.6, viz: a, = 2.6 - an intrinsic activity profile (ex t, where t = time) that could be broken up into three phases, distinguishable by 2 break-points.

Relative (Fischer-Tropsch) Intrinsic Activity Factor ('R. I. A. F.') is defined as follows :

Consider an arbitrary slurry phase cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, displaying the following observed synthesis performance in a CSTR: rFT = Z moles CO converted to Fischer-Tropsch products per gram catalyst per second, observed at T=y Kelvin, at the following set of reactor partial pressures: PH2 v bar Pco = r bar then the definition of R. I. A. F. is as follows : R. I. A. F = [Z (1 +1. 82r) 2]/ [49480. 9e(-11113.4/y) v#] Initial intrinsic Fischer-Tropsch activity (a ;) of a slurry phase cobalt based catalyst is defined as follows : a, = the R. I. A. F. after 15 hours on stream (ie t, = time initial) of continuous exposure to the following set of gradientless slurry phase synthesis conditions : 220°C, 20 bar, % (H2 + CO) conversion in excess of 50%, obtained with a feed gas of composition: ca 50 vol% H2 and ca 25 vol% CO, the balance consisting of Ar, N2, CH4 and/or CO2.

As a result of this observation, it is postulated that a total of 4 deactivation phases (ie phases I, H, III and IV) fully describe the intrinsic activity profile of catalyst B during extended slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch synthesis runs under realistic conditions.

1.2.1 Phase IV Deactivation-Portion of a run longer than 40 to 60 days after commencement, under realistic slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions This deactivation is a continuous and irreversible process.

Sulphur poisoning is the dominating mechanism during phase IV deactivation.

The correlation between the Fischer-Tropsch catalyst active site density and the R. I. A. F. is as follows: Consider a well conditioned cobalt catalyst operating in a slurry CSTR, ie low level sulphur poisoning being solely responsible for catalyst deactivation.

Assumptions : -the sulphur containing compounds present in the pure synthesis gas are all mono-atomic with respect to sulphur -the poisoning ratio is one sulphur atom per single active site -the sulphur absorption is quantitative and occurs selectively on metallic cobalt Nomenclature: a observed linear deactivation rate of a well conditioned cobalt catalyst expressed in terms of R. I. A. F. units lost per hour 9 sulphur content of pure synthesis gas expressed in terms of volume parts per billion X = pure synthesis gas feed rate expressed in terms of m', per kg catalyst per hour Thus, (XR 4,459x10-8) mole S is introduced to the CSTR per kg catalyst per hour. Therefore, a R. I. A. F. of a corresponds to an active site density of (Xß 4.459xlO-') mole per kg catalyst. A single R. I. A. F. unit corresponds to [ (Xg 4.459x10-z] mole sites/g catalyst.

During Fischer-Tropsch synthesis demonstration run WPP54 an APG feed was used that was not cleaned by passing through absorbents, and substantial phase IV deactivation was observed (Figure 1). After introducing a ZnO sulphur guard bed the intrinsic Fischer-Tropsch synthesis activity levelled off, indicating that the observed deactivation, prior to the introduction of the ZnO bed, was mainly due to sulphur.

A conditioned catalyst sample was taken, after about 120 days on line, ie after levelling off and thus properly conditioned, from a Fischer- Tropsch synthesis demonstration run, which was performed using a synthesis gas feed that was passed trough a ZnO sulphur guard bed. This catalyst sample was tested in a laboratory micro CSTR for deactivation behaviour by introducing a known amount of H2S during this Fischer-Tropsch synthesis run, by means of a permeation tube system (Figure 2). A phase IV deactivation rate of 1.09x10-3 R. I. A. F. units/hour was observed with a gas (containing 190 vppb H2S) space velocity of 2.22 m/ (kg catalyst. h). An application of the abovementioned correlation to this information, implies that a single R. I. A. F. unit corresponds to 1.72x10-5 mole sites/g catalyst.

1.2.2 Phase III Deactivation-Portion of a run from about 5 days up to 40-60 days after commencement, under realistic slurrv phase Fischer-Troosch synthesis conditions Contributing to this deactivation phase is sulphur poisoning in accordance with 1.2.1. In addition to this deactivation mechanism, slow oxidation of metallic cobalt crystallites, smaller than a threshold size, also takes place. This particular deactivation mechanism is described as: ex ti oxidation.

The'threshold size'is defined as the maximum crystallite diameter of the whole set of cobalt metal crystallites that will oxidize when exposed to a realistic Fischer-Tropsch synthesis environment.

It is further assumed that the metallic cobalt crystallites, in the case of reduced supported cobalt catalysts, are hemispherical, thus implying that -the surface area of a single crystallite = (/rx)/2 -the volume of a single crystallite = 0,083yr X3 where x = the diameter of the postulated hemispherical crystallites, and also referred to as the crystallite size Although the oxidation of bulk phase metallic cobalt to either CoO or CO304, under typical Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions, is unlikely from a thermodynamic point of view, strong literature support does, however, exist in favour of cobalt catalyst oxidation during Fischer- Tropsch synthesis.

In the case of catalyst B, the following characteristic deactivation parameters can be assumed during slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions: TABLE 1 Temperature Extent of ex ti Deactivation rate (°C) oxidation (% drop in a,) associated with ex t ; oxidation (R. I. A. F. units/day) 220 15 1. 0x1 o-2

1.2.3 Phase II Deactivation - Portion of a run from tiem initial ('ti') up to about 5 days after commencement, under realistic slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions Contributing to this deactivation phase, are: -sulphur poisoning in accordance with 1.2.1 -ex t ; oxidation in accordance with 1.2.2 In addition to these two deactivation mechanisms, it is believed that rejuvenatable poisoning also takes place. By"rejuvenatable poisoning"is understood that recovery can be effected through an in-situ pure hydrogen treatment step at 20 bar and 220°C, ie normal Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions. The following two published deactivation mechanisms could take place : -the screening off of active sites by carbonaceous residues (ie fouling) removable through hydrolysis. With this mechanism, a pure hydrogen treatment step should restore initial Fischer-Tropsch synthesis rates, and this will be facilitated by the presence of ruthenium as a promoter, thus exploiting its known strong hydrogenolysis characteristic. The option of regenerating

deactivated catalysts by a hydrogen treatment step can be problematic on supported mono-metallic cobalt, ie in the absence of Ru, Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. rejuvenatable poisoning of supported cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalysts through contaminants, other than sulphur containing compounds, eg NH3 and/or HCN, present in the synthesis gas.

This theory of rejuvenatable poisoning, lasting for ca 5 days under the influence of realistic slurry phase CSTR Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions, was tested during synthesis run numbers 35F, 41 F, 215F, 317$ and 319$.

The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis run number 41 F was performed on Catalyst B. This run was performed under a set of realistic slurry phase CSTR conditions, and was subjected to the following two in-situ pure hydrogen treatment steps: H2 treatment number A: At period 178,3 hours on stream, the feed gas (ie APG spiked with 15 vol% Ar), was replaced with pure hydrogen (feed rate of 0,5 dm3n/min) at a reactor pressure of 20 bar and a reactor temperature of 220°C. This pure H2 treatment step was maintained for 10,2 hours, after which the pure hydrogen was replaced with the same synthesis gas (ie APG spiked with 15 vol % Ar). The first Fischer-Tropsch synthesis performance analysis (ex H2 treatment number A) occurred 1,8 hours after the re-introduction of synthesis gas.

H2 treatment number B: At period 471,1 hours on stream, the feed gas (ie APG spiked with 15 vol % Ar) was again replaced with pure hydrogen (feed rate of 0,5 dm3nimin) at a reactor pressure of 20 bar and a reactor temperature of

220°C. This pure hydrogen treatment step was maintained for 39 hours, after which the pure hydrogen was replaced with the same synthesis gas (ie APG spiked with 15 vol % Ar). The first Fischer- Tropsch synthesis performance analysis (ex H2 treatment B) occurred 2,0 hours after the re-introduction of synthesis gas.

An evaluation of the observed synthesis performance data of run number 41 F resulted in the following observations/conclusions : -The intrinsic activity behaviour of catalyst B, ex H2 treatment numbers A and B, displayed similarities with that of phase 11 deactivation (ie ex tj). On the basis that this agreement is accepted, it is concluded that rejuvenatable poisoning contributed significantly during the phase 11 deactivation as observed during synthesis run number 41 F; and -An extrapolation of the results obtained provided a R. I. A. F. of 3,0 at time zero. It is thus concluded that the extrapolated R. I. A. F. at time zero, that corrects for any deactivation caused by phases 11, III and IV, is equal to 3,0.

It is known from the literature that catalyst rejuvenation can also be effected through an inert gas treatment step at typical Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions (ie 220°C and 20 bar). It thus appeared as if the presence of hydrogen during the in-situ rejuvenation of catalyst B was not necessary, and that a pure stripping step sufficed, perhaps having offered an incentive for considering Al203 support materials with a larger pore diameter than the 12 nm of the preferred Sasol Germany GmbH Al203 : Puralox SCCa 5/150. This premise of an in-situ inert gas rejuvenation step was followed-up, but could not be repeated, It was thus concluded that the presence of hydrogen is imperative during catalyst rejuvenation, which is in line with published observations and

supports the viewpoint that catalyst fouling may not be the rejuvenatable poisoning mechanism of choice.

Referring to Figure 3, an evaluation of the observed synthesis performance data of synthesis run numbers 29F, 106F, 215F, 317$ and 319$, ie synthesis runs performed on catalyst B at realistic slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions, resulted in the following observations/conclusions : -Rejuvenatable poisoning was not always observed, and was dependent on particular time slots. The behaviour displayed during synthesis run numbers 29F and 1 06F could be regarded as typical of all extended slurry micro CSTR Fischer-Tropsch runs performed over a lengthy period, having utilized APG as synthesis gas.

Synthesis run numbers 317$, 319$ and 215F were performed over a subsequent much shorter period, also with APG as synthesis gas. It was concluded that rejuvenatable poisoning, present during phase 11 deactivation, is not to be associated with the mechanism of active site fouling by high molecular weight hydrocarbons. The mechanism of rejuvenatable poisoning by feed gas containing contaminants, eg NH3 and/or HCN, is therefore preferred; and -If it is assumed that rejuvenatable phase 11 poisoning was completely absent during synthesis run numbers 317$, 319$ and 21 5F, an extrapolated time zero R. I. A. F. of 2,9 was obtained from the results. This extrapolated time zero R. I. A. F. of 2,9 supports the value of 3,0 referred to hereinbefore, ie the extrapolated R. I. A. F. at time zero that corrects for any deactivation caused by phase 11, 111 and IV deactivations.

1. 2.4 Phase I Deactivation-Portion of a slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch run up to time initial (ie t,) Contributing to this deactivation phase, are: -Sulphur poisoning in accordance with 1.2.1 (ie phase IV) -Ex t ; oxidation in accordance with 1.2.2 (ie phase ! ! deactivation) -Rejuvenatable poisoning in accordance with 1.2.3 (ie phase 11 deactivation) If an extrapolated correction for all three of these deactivation mechanisms is made in the case of the synthesis performance of catalyst B, under the influence of a realistic set of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions, a time zero R. I. A. F. of 3.0 was derived. However, as set out hereinbefore in 1.2.1, a single R. I. A. F. unit corresponds to 1.72x10-5 mole sites/g catalyst. Thus, a time zero active site density of 5.16x10-5 mole surface metallic cobalt atoms per gram of catalyst B would account for the complete influence of phases II, III and IV deactivation in the case of a realistic CSTR synthesis environment.

If it is assumed that a single surface metallic cobalt atom occupies 0.0662 nm2, an active site density of 5.16x10-5 mole Fischer-Tropsch sites per gram of catalyst would correspond to a cobalt metal surface area of 2.06 m2/gram catalyst. Thus, a time zero cobalt metal surface area of ca 2,1 m2 per gram of catalyst B would account for the complete influence of phases 11, III and IV deactivation in the case of a realistic CSTR synthesis environment.

However, an interpretation of H2 chemisorption analyses performed on freshly reduced samples of catalyst B resulted in the conclusion that the cobalt metal surface area of freshly reduced (ie time zero) catalyst B = 11, 9 m2/g catalyst

Phase I deactivation of Catalyst B is associated with significant catalyst induction (i. e. in addition to the three hypothesized deactivation mechanisms associated with deactivation phases : ll, lil and IV), that amounted to a loss of 11,9-2,1 = 9,8 m2 cobalt metal surface area per gram catalyst. On the basis of published Mössbauer Emission Spectroscopy ('MES') and Temperature Gravimetric Analysis ('TGA') studies, the mechanism of almost instantaneous oxidation of metallic cobalt crystallites which are significantly smaller than a threshold size, is hypothesized. This catalyst oxidation is thus distinguished from the previously postulated : ex ti oxidation, and is referred to as: pre t, oxidation.

The overall impact of this pre ti oxidation on catalyst B was estimated as follows : The metallic cobalt surface area of the freshly reduced catalyst = 11, 9 m2/g catalyst. However, a single surface metallic cobalt atom occupies 0,0662 nm2. Thus, freshly reduced catalyst B contains 2. 98x10-4 mole Fischer-Tropsch active sites per gram catalyst. However, a single R. I. A. F. unit corresponds to 1. 72x10-5 mo, le sites per gram catalyst, as set out in 1.2.1. Thus, the R. I. A. F. of freshly reduced catalyst B (ie R. I. A. F. at time zero) = 17, 3. Therefore, pre t, oxidation is exclusively responsible for the loss of 17,3-3,0 = 14,3 R. I. A. F. units in the case of catalyst B, ie corresponding to a loss of 9,8 m2 cobalt metal surface area per gram of catalyst.

1.3 Description of the metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution of a freshly reduced catalyst B sample 1.3.1 Known characteristics of catalyst B From H2 chemisorption analyses of freshly reduced samples of catalyst B, the following conclusions were arrived at: -Metallic cobalt surface area = 11, 9 m2/g catalyst

-Metallic cobalt crystallite size of maximum abundance = 6nm, a value that was also qualitatively confirmed through the application of High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy ('HRTEM') The value of 6nm, as the metallic cobalt crystallite size of maximum abundance in the case of the freshly reduced catalyst B sample, was also confirmed during the application of the magnetic method. From this work it was also estimated that 30 mass% of the total metallic cobalt content of the freshly reduced catalyst B sample, is contained in crystallites larger than 15nm.

The following set of known characteristics must therefore be simultaneously answered by any model that is to be considered as a feasible description of the metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution for a freshly reduced catalyst B sample.

-Metallic cobalt crystaliite size of maximum abundance = 6nm -Metallic cobalt surface area = 11, 9 m2/g catalyst -Mass % of the total metallic cobalt content contained in crystallites larger than 15nm = 30 1.3.2 Model selection for the description of the metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution of the freshly reduced sample of catalyst B The following list of standard probability distributions were considered in order to identify a feasible Crystallite Size Distribution ('CSD') model, i. e. feasibility implies compliance with 1.3.1. a) Mono-modal chi-square distribution b) F-distribution c) Mono-modal Gaussian distribution d) Mono-modal asymmetrical normal distribution e) Bi-modal Gaussian distribution

An evaluation of options a)-d) resulted in the conclusion that it was impossible to satisfy all three characteristics of 1.3.1 simultaneously by means of a mono-modal crystallite size probability distribution.

Option e), ie a bi-modal Gaussian probability distribution, was found to be viable, and can be described by the following mathematical equation: where : i) = the crystallite population with a crystallite size of x nm 0 0 *Note : # fµ1,µ2,#1,#2 (x)dx>0 is undesired from a physical point of view (i. e. crystallites with a negative diameter), In order to accommodate this situation, a restriction was placed on the maximum attainable (i. e. negligible) value of: 0 I (x) dx Proposed restriction : Theorem : 99% of the population described by gµi,#i (x) will fall within the range: (µi-2.67 #i) # # # (µi + 2.56 ai) Thus : The maximum allowable value for o, = (Li/2. 67) Therefore: 0 < #i # (µi / 2.67), and l ; > 0

2.1.1 COBALT METAL SURFACE AREA AS PREDICTED BY THE BI- MODAL GAUSSIAN CRYSTALLITE SIZE DISTRIBUTION According to the stated convention, the population of crystallites of size x nm = [(ßgµ1,#1 (#)+(1-ß)g2,#2(#))] However, the surface area of a single crystallite of diameter x nm, is: [(s x2)/2] (nm) 2 Thus, the total surface area associated with crystallites of diameter x nm, is: [(1.571#2)(ßgµ1,#1 (x)+(1-ß)gµ2,#2(x))](nm)2 Therefore, the total metal surface area of the complete population of metallic cobalt crystallites is: In addition, the volume of a single crystallite of diameter x nm, is (0.0837c X3) (nm) 3.

Thus, the volume associated with crvstallites of diameter x nm, is: However, the density of metallic cobalt-8. 9 g/ml. Therefore, the total mass of cobalt associated with crvstallites of diameter x nm, is: Thus, the total mass of cobalt contained in the complete population of metallic cobalt crystallites, is: Equations 4 and 6 imply that the cobalt metal surface area per gram of metallic cobaltis:

The application of equation (7) to the freshly reduced version of catalyst B implies that the cobalt metal surface area per gram of catalyst will be equalto: Equation (8) incorporates the following knowledge : 1 gram catalyst contains 0.195 gram cobalt, of which 75% reduces during the standard reduction procedure. Therefore, 1 gram catalyst B contains a total mass of 0.146g metallic cobalt.

1.3.2.2 FRACTION OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF METALLIC COBALT CONTAINED IN CRYSTALLITES LARGER THAN d nm (say Xd) Equation (6) implies: 1.3.2.3 ESTIMATION OF MODEL PARAMETER VALUES APPLICABLE TO FRESHLY REDUCED CATALYST B The proposed bi-modal Gaussian CSD model contains five parameters, ie µ1, # 1, µ2,# 2 and ß. The two model parameters :, and "determine the position and broadness of the first peak respectively. The two model parameters : U2 and 2 ! fulfil the same function in the case of the second peak, whilst R establishes the relative peak sizes.

During the application of this model to freshly reduced catalyst B, pt was fixed at 6 in answer to the requirement that 6nm is the crystallite size of maximum abundance, as hereinbefore described. The remaining model parameters, ie #1,, U2, ° 2 and f3, were selected on the basis of the following model fit criteria:

(refer: equation 8) (refer: equation 9) A bi-modal metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution is thus proposed for the freshly reduced version of catalyst B. The bi-modal Gaussian crystallite size distribution model provides a reasonable description of this crystallite size distribution as gauged against the known characteristics as set out hereinbefore. The following model parameters were selected : µ1 = 6, 0 #1 = 1,0 -16, 0 #2 = 5,0 ß = 0, 976 The success of this set of model parameter values is illustrated in the Table 2: TABLE 2 Target value Model prediction Crystallite size of maximum abundance 6nm 6nm Cobalt metal surface area 11, 9m2/g cat 11, 9m2/g cat Mass % metallic cobalt contained in crystallites larger than 15nm 30% 30,9%

A visual illustration of the model derived crystallite distributions are provided by Figures 4 and 5.

1.4 Reconciliation of the intrinsic Fischer-Tropsch activity profile (ie 2.1) and the cobalt crystallite size distribution (ie 1.3) of Catalyst B The relationship between the oxidation behaviour (ie both pre and ex ti oxidation) of the catalyst B during slurry phase synthesis at realistic conditions, and the time zero metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution was explored. The objective was to discover a metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution that should ensure complete resistance against oxidation during realistic slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

In 1.2, it was concluded that 9,8 m2 cobalt metal surface area was lost per gram of catalyst due to pre ti oxidation (ie during phase 1 deactivation), and that (0, 15 a ;) R. I. A. F. units were lost due to ex ti oxidation at 230°C (ie during phases 11 and III deactivation).

However, a single R. I. A. F. unit corresponds to 1,72x10-5 mole cobalt surface atoms per gram catalyst, a single metallic cobalt atom occupies 0,0662 nm2 (assumed), and a, = 2, 8 (based on a large number of Fischer-Tropsch slurry phase runs performed on catalyst B).

Accordingly, of the time zero cobalt metal surface area of 11,9 m2 per gram of catalyst, 9,8 m2 oxidized during catalyst induction (ie phase I deactivation) and was followed by the oxidation of an additional 0,29 m2 during phase 11 and III deactivation as a consequence of slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a realistic environment.

Equation (8) was used to rationalize these values of 9,8 m2/g catalyst and 0,29 m2/g catalyst that were respectively lost during the deactivation mechanisms: pre ti oxidation and ex tj oxidation. The following assumptions were made : Metallic cobalt crystallites smaller than A nm oxidize during catalyst induction (ie phase I deactivation); and metallic cobalt crystallites between A and 9 nm oxidize during catalyst conditioning (ie phases 11 and III deactivation). Thus,

Bearing in mind that, p, = 6,0; C 1 = 1, 0 ; U2 = 16, 0; lut 2 = 5,0 and ß = 0,976, both 2 and S were estimated from equations 10 and 11 as follows : =8, 24nm 8 = 10,30 nm Figure 6 provides a visual illustration of this result, indicating that the stability of the catalyst B, during realistic synthesis conditions, is provided by the metallic cobalt crystallites of size: >10, 30 nm. It was thus surprisingly discovered that metallic cobalt crystallites up to 10,30 nm in size will oxidize during realistic Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions. This is in contradiction to published literature which recommends that a cobalt dispersion of 15% (ie a crystallite size range of 5-6nm) is regarded as the optimum for the application of supported cobalt catalysts at typical Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions.

1.5 Optimum metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution of a supported cobalt catalyst with a 19,5 mass % cobalt loading and a 75% degree of reduction (ie comparable to catalyst B) The following three criteria were applied in order to quantify the concept of optimum: -A mono-modal Gaussian metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution as measured on the freshly reduced catalyst -Maximum stabilized intrinsic Fischer-Tropsch activity during realistic synthesis conditions. A stabilized cobalt based Fischer- Tropsch catalyst is defined as a catalyst that has been conditioned completely during slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch synthesis at realistic conditions with an ultra pure synthesis gas. Furthermore, it is assumed that rejuvenatable poisoning is feed gas related as

discussed so that oxidation is the exclusive deactivation mechanism during catalyst stabilization.

-A Fischer-Tropsch synthesis effectiveness factor of ca 1 The mathematical equation describing a mono-modal Gaussian'CSD'is: <BR> <BR> <BR> 2##e[-(x-µ)2l(2#2)], for all #<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> (12) where : (aJ f t, (x) = the crystallite populatiion with a crystallite size of x nm.

(b) Imposed restriction : is undesired from a physical point of view (ie crystallites with a negative diameter).

In order to accommodate this situation, a restriction was placed on the maximum attainable (ie neglible) value of: Proposed restriction: Thus, the crystallites of diameters 2 0 always comprises > 99.5% of the total population. Further, 99% of the crystallite population will fall within the diameter range of: (, 67cr) # x # (µ+2.67#). Accordingly, the maximum allowable value for a = (p./2. 67), and therefore 0 < a 5 (y12. 67), and L > 0 (14) The characteristics of the function : f ;" (x), are thus: i) df (x) = 0 at x = il, ive is the value of x at the function dx maximum

iii) fµ,#(µ-x)=fµ,#(µ+x) In the case of the freshly reduced catalyst : The cobalt metal surface area of all crystallites larger than 6 nm, is: total metallic cobalt (15) In other words: The cobalt metal surface area of all crystallites larger than 0 nm is: Equation (16) incorporates the following information: 1 gram catalyst contains 0.195g cobalt, of which 75% is reduced.

Thus, 1 gram catalyst corresponds to 0,146g metallic cobalt.

Table 3 was constructed from equation 16, and applies to the freshly reduced state of the catalyst.

TABLE 3 Selected mono-modal Total cobalt metal surface areas ensphered by crystallites Gaussian CSD parameters larger than zu nm, expressed in terms of m2/g catalyst of the freshly reduced catalyst µ # # = 0 # = 8,24 # = 10,30 5 0,47 19,42 1,44#10-10 0 5 0,94 18,50 1,46#10-2 6,71#101-10 5 1,40 17,25 0,50 5,55#10-7 5 1, 87 15, 86 1, 89 0, 17 7 0, 66 13, 87 0, 61 8, 74x10° 7 1, 31 13, 22 3, 60 0, 18 7 1, 97 12, 31 5, 54 1, 36 7 2, 62 11, 33 6, 49 2, 84 9 0, 84 10, 79 9, 33 0. 91 9 1, 68 10, 29 8, 22 3, 43 9 2, 52 9, 58 7, 75 4, 77 9 3, 36 8, 82 7, 35 5, 36 11 1, 03 8, 83 8, 81 7, 14 11 2, 06 8, 41 8, 09 6, 43 113, 097, 847, 336, 16 11 4, 12 7, 21 6, 72 5, 89 12 1, 12 8, 09 8, 09 7, 75 12 2, 24 7, 71 7, 58 6, 76 12 3, 36 7, 19 6, 91 6, 20 12 4, 49 6, 61 6, 31 5, 78 14 1, 31 6, 94 6, 94 6, 93 14 2, 62 6, 61 6, 59 6, 39 14 3, 93 6, 16 6, 06 5, 80 14 5, 24 5, 66 5, 54 5, 31 16 1, 50 6, 07 6, 07 6, 07 16 3, 00 5, 78 5, 78 5, 73 16 4, 50 5, 39 5, 35 5, 25 16 5, 99 4, 96 4, 90 4, 79

The abovementioned table can be converted to R. I. A. F. through the incorporation of the following information : (a) A single R. I. A. F unit corresponds to 1, 72#10-5 mole surface metallic cobalt atoms per gram catalyst, as hereinbefore described (b) A single surface metallic cobalt atom occupies an area of 0,0662 nm2 Thus, a single R. I. A. F. unit corresponds to 0, 686m2 metallic cobalt surface area per gram catalyst (17) The application of (17) enabled the construction of Table 4: TABLE 4 Selected mono-modal Gaussian Relative Intrinsic (Fischer-Tropsch) Activity Factor CSD parameters of the freshly ('R.I. A. F.') reduced catalyst iJ Time Zero Time initial Stabilized catalyst 5 0, 47 28, 3 0, 0 0, 0 5 0, 94 27, 0 0, 0 0, 0 5 1, 40 25, 1 0, 7 0, 0 5 1, 87 23, 1 2, 8 0, 2 7 0, 66 20, 2 0, 9 0, 0 7 1, 31 19, 3 5, 2 0, 3 7 1, 97 17, 9 8, 1 2, 0 7 2, 62 16, 5 9, 5 4, 1 9 0, 84 15, 7 13, 6 1, 3 9 1, 68 15, 0 12, 0 5, 0 9 2, 52 14, 0 11, 3 7, 0 9 3, 36 12, 9 10, 7 7, 8 11 1, 03 12, 9 12, 8 10, 4 11 2,06 12,3 11,8 9, 4 11 3, 09 11, 4 10, 7 9, 0 11 4,12 10,5 9,8 8, 6 12 1, 12 11, 8 11, 8 11, 3 12 2,24 11,2 11,0 9, 9 12 3,36 10,5 10,1 9, 0 12 4, 49 9, 6 9, 2 8, 4 14 1, 31 10, 1 10. 1 10, 1 14 2, 62 9, 6 9, 6 9, 3 14 3, 93 9, 0 8, 8 8, 5 14 5, 24 8, 3 8. 1 7, 7 161, 508, 88, 88, 8 16 3,00 8,4 8,4 8, 4 16 4, 50 7, 9 7, 8 7, 7 16 5, 99 7, 2 7, 1 7, 0

A visual presentation of this section is presented as Figure 7, and supports the following conclusions:

1. A 20 mass% supported cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalyst will be optimum, if the freshly reduced catalyst answers the following criteria: a) A degree of reduction of ca 75% b) A mono-modal Gaussian metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution c) A metallic cobalt surface area between 2,1 and 15,0 m2, more preferred between 4,1 m2 and 13,0 m2 per gram of catalyst d) A catalyst geometry (ie porosity, pore size distribution, etc) that will ensure a stabilized Fischer-Tropsch synthesis effectiveness factor of about 1.

2. It should therefore be possible to prepare a 20 mass % supported cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalyst with an initial R. I. A. F. (ie a,) between 3,0 and 10,0, ie (2,4 + 1,3) times that of the catalyst B, which is characterized by an ai of 2,8.

1.6 Optimum metallic cobalt crystallite size distributions of a generic supported cobalt catalyst with a Fischer-Tropsch effectiveness factor of 1 and a reducible cobalt loading of n mass %, ie reducible under a prescribed catalyst activation procedure The same criteria as were applied in 1.5, were applied in order to quantify the concept of optimum.

The mathematical equations describing a mono-modal Gaussian CSD are presented in 1.5, ie equations : (12), (13), (14) and (15). In the case of the freshly reduced catalyst : The cobalt metal surface of all crystallites larger than B nm is : (6. 77 Q lt |X2eÇ (X p) 2/(22)] (6. 77 nf (I x 2e [1 (2, )] d,,/ix 3/ (2, 2) 1 d, rn 2/g catalyst ho (18) Table 5 was constructed from equation (18) and applies to the freshly reduced state of the catalyst.

TABLE 5 Selected mono-modal Gaussian CSD Total cobalt metal surface areas ensphered parameters of the freshly reduced catalyst by crystallites larger than 0 nm, expressed in terms of gram of catalyst p 0'0 =0 0 = 8, 24 5 0,47 1,331# 0,000# 5 0, 94 1, 268 0, 0010 51, 401, 18200, 034 5 1,87 1,087# 0,130# 7 0, 66 0, 950Q 0, 042Q 7 1, 31 0, 906 # 0, 247 Q 7 1, 97 0, 844 # 0,380# 7 2, 62 0, 776 0, 445 Q 9 0,84 0,739# 0,639# 9 1,68 0,705# 0,563# 9 2,52 0,656# 0, 531 Q 9 3,36 0,604# 0,504# 11 1, 03 0, 605 Q 0, 604 Q 11 2, 06 0, 576 D0. 554Q 11 3,09 0,537# 0,502# 11 4, 12 0, 494Q 0, 460Q 12 1,12 0,554# 0,554# 12 2, 24 0, 528 Q 0, 519 Q 12 3, 36 0, 493 H0, 473 Q 12 4,49 0,453# 0, 432 # 14 1, 31 0, 476 # 0,476# 14 2, 62 0,453# 0,452# 14 3, 93 0, 422Q 0, 415Q 14 5,24 0,388# 0,380# 16 1,50 0,4163 0,416# 16 3,00 0,396# 0,396# 164. 500, 36900, 3670 16 5,99 0,340# 0,336#

The above mentioned table can be converted to R. I. A. F. through the incorporation of the following information: (a) A single R. I. A. F. unit corresponds to 1,72x10-5 mole surface metallic atoms per gram catalyst, as hereinbefore described (b) A single surface metallic cobalt atom occupies an area of 0,0662nm2 Thus, as also hereinbefore set out, a single R. I. A. F. unit corresponds to 0,686m2 metallic cobalt surface area per gram catalyst (19) The application of (19) enabled the construction of Table 6: TABLE 6 Selected mono-modal Gaussian CSD Relative Intrinsic (Fischer-Tropsch) parameters of the freshly reduced Activity Factor (ie R. I. A. F.) catalyst µ # Time zero Time intial 5 0, 47 1, 94 Q 0, 00 Q 5 0,94 1,85# 0,00# 5 1,40 1,72# 0,05# 5 1, 87 1, 58 Q 0, 19 Q 7 0, 66 1, 39Q 0, 06Q 7 1, 31 1, 32 Q 0, 36 Q 7 1,97 1,23# 0,55# 7 2, 62 1, 13 SZ 0, 65 S2 9 0,84 1,08# 0,93# 9 1,68 1,03# 0,82# 9 2, 52 0, 96 0, 77 9 3,36 0,88# 0,73# 11 1,03 0,88# 0,88# 11 2,06 0,84# 0,81# 11 3,09 0,78# 0,73# 11 4, 12 0, 72 Q 0, 67 Q 12 1,12 0,81# 0,81# 12 2, 24 0, 77 0, 760 12 3,36 0,72# 0,69# 12 4, 49 0, 66 0, 630 14 1,31 0,69# 0,69# 14 2,62 0,66# 0,66# 14 3, 93 0, 62Q 0, 61 Q 145, 240, 5700, 550 16 1,50 0,61# 0,61# 16 3,00 0,58# 0,58# 16 4,50 0,54# 0,53# 16 5,99 0,50# 0,49#

A visual presentation of this table is presented as Figure 8, and supports the following conclusions : 1. A supported cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalyst containing Q mass % reducible cobalt will be optimum, if the freshly reduced catalyst answers the following criteria: (a) A mono-modal Gaussian metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution (b) A metallic cobalt surface area, in m2 per gram of catalyst, of from 0,0,14Q to 1, 03Q, preferably from 0, 28Q to 0,89Q.

(c) A catalyst geometry (ie porosity, pore size distribution, etc) that ensures a stabilized Fischer-Tropsch synthesis effectiveness factor of 1.

EXAMPLE 2 EXAMPLE OF Al203 SUPPORTED COBALT SLURRY PHASE CATALYST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INVENTION (CATALYST F) THAT DISPLAYED ENHANCED INITIAL INTRINSIC FISCHER-TROPSCH ACTIVITIES Example 1 has shown that the optimum metallic cobalt crystallite size appears to be between 10 and 14nm, and preferably is between 10 and 12 nm, ie optimum from a maximum stabilized R. I. A. F, point of view.

With the exception of metallic cobalt crystallite size distributions that peak between 8,2nm and 10,3nm the observed value for a ; (ie R. I. A. F. at time initial) provides an accurate barometer for the expected stabilized R. LA. F.

The objective with the identification of supported cobalt slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch catalysts with enhanced initial intrinsic activities, was the transformation of the bi-modal metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution ('CSD') of the freshly reduced sample of catalyst B into a mono-modal Gaussian type distribution with:

-A metallic crystallite size of maximum abundance equal to 12 2nm -A narrow distribution If catalyst B is used as a benchmark, the successful increase of the average cobalt oxide crystallite size of the calcined catalyst precursor of an improved (m) gCo/(0, 0025m) gPt/100gA1203 catalyst, could qualitatively be obtained from an associated easier reducibility. This statement is based on the known generality that the production of a highly dispersed and a highly reduced cobalt catalyst is difficult through the application of conventional catalyst preparation methods (eg impregnation with nitrate salt precursors). Conclusive confirmation of the successful tailoring of metallic cobalt crystallite size distributions, as measured on the freshly reduced catalysts, can be obtained through a combination of the following analytical techniques: -H2 chemisorption -High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) -Magnetic method -X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) -Susceptibility towards oxidation under model Hz/H2O environments where cobalt bulk phase oxidation is thermodynamically impossible, as analyzed through the method of gravimetry.

Catalyst F was prepared in pursuit of this objective, ie the tailoring of cobalt oxide crystallite size distributions of calcined (m) gCo/(0. 0025m) gPt/100gAI203 Fischer-Tropsch catalyst precursors.

Catalyst F (30gCo/0. 075aPt/3. 1 qBa/1 OOclAl203 SASOL Germany GmbH's trademark product: Puralox SCCa 5/150 (i. e. a pre-shaped spherical porous Al203 catalyst support material) was modified during a barium nitrate impregnation step as follows :

2.86g Ba (NO3) 2 was dissolved in 50ml distilled water. This solution was added to a 500ml round ball flask in a rotavapor at 60°C, and 50g of Puralox SCCa 5/150 was added. Aqueous slurry phase impregnation and vacuum drying was effected via the following procedure: Temperature of oil bath Rotavapor pressure (°C) (mbar) Time (minutes) 60 Atmospheric 10 60 200 30 70 200 90 85 200 60 85 50 240 This vacuum dried Ba-modified intermediate product was subjected to a fluidized bed calcination step, according to the following procedure: -Continuous air flow of 2.4 dm3nimin -Temperature program: 25°C 1. 6°C/min 250OC 16h0urs 250°C The result of this exercise was a 3. 1 gBa/ OOgAl203 modified support.

A 30gCo/0. O75gPt/100gAI203 slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch catalyst was prepared on the modified 3. 1gBa/100gAl2O3 pre-shaped support material in accordance with the method of a aqueous slurry phase impregnation and vacuum drying, followed by direct fluidized bed calcination as disclosed in US 5733839, WO 99/42214 and WO 00/20116.

In particular, the catalyst was prepared as follows :

29.3g Co (N03) 2. 6H20 was dissolved in 28ml distilled water and 0.0167g (NH3) 4Pt (NO3) 2 was dissolved in 7ml distilled water. These two solutions were mixed together in a 500moi round ball flask in a rotavapor at 60°C and atmospheric pressure, and 35. Og of the 3. 1gBa/100gAl2O3 modified pre-shaped support support was added. Aqueous slurry phase impregnation and vacuum drying was effected via the following procedure: Temperature of oil bath Rotavapor pressure (°C) (mbar) Time (minutes) 60 Atmospheric 10 60 240 30 70 250 90 85 250 60 85 50 240 This vacuum dried intermediate was directly subjected to a fluidized bed calcination step, according to the following procedure: -Continuous air flow of 1.7 dm3n/min -Temperature program: 25°C 1 c/min 250°C 6hours 250°C 35. 1 g of this intermediate calcined material was subjected to the following 2nd cobalt/platinum impregnation and calcination step: 16. 5g Co (N03) 2. 6H20 was dissolved in 28ml distilled water and 0.0273g (NH3) 4Pt (NO3) 2 was dissolved in 7mi distilled water. These two solutions were mixed together in a 500ml round ball flask in a rotavapor at 60°C and atmospheric pressure, and 35g of the ex 1 St cobalt/platinum impregnated and calcined intermediate was added. Aqueous slurry phase impregnation and vacuum drying was effected via the following procedure:

Temperature of oil bath Rotavapor pressure (° C) (mbar) Time (minutes) 60 Atmospheric 10 60 300 30 70 315 90 85 250 60 85 50 120 This vacuum dried intermediate product was directly subjected to a fluidized bed calcination step, according to the following procedure: -Continuous air flow of 1.7 dm3n/min -Temperature program: <BR> <BR> <BR> 25°C 1°C/min 250°C 6hours 250°C<BR> # # <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> In preparation for laboratory scale slurry phase CSTR Fischer-Tropsch synthesis runs, this calcined catalyst precursor was reduced and wax coated in accordance with the procedure described for the preparation of catalyst B.

The intention behind the A1203 support modification of catalyst F was the manipulation of support acidity, based on the following : Three of the five different types of surface hydroxyl groups, present on alumina, can serve as anchoring points for cobalt, ie acting as growth sites during the cobalt impregnation step. By limiting the surface concentration of potential cobalt crystallite growth points, whilst maintaining similar cobalt loadings per m2 of

the fresh support material, larger cobalt crystal/ites should be obtained. Barium was identified as a promoter that could effectively reduce the surface hydroxyl concentration of Al203, as well as alternative support materials, such as : SiO2, TiO2, etc.

Support for this hypothesized beneficial promotion effect of barium was obtained through the magnetic method analysis performed on catalysts H and 1. Catalysts H and I were prepared as follows : Catalyst H (18gCo/0,5gPt/100gAl2O3) Puralox SCCa 5/150 (ie a pre-shaped Al203 supplied by SASOL Germany GmbH) was impregnated, vacuum dried and calcined with an aqueous Co (N03) 2 solution according to the method disclosed in US 5733839, WO 99/42214 and WO 00/20116, incorporated herein by reference, on a laboratory scale. In particular, catalyst H was prepared as follows : In a first impregnation step, a solution of 43. 7 kg of cobalt nitrate (Co (N03) 2. 6H20), 24.0 g of (NH3) 4Pt (NO3) 2 and 32.1 ! of distilled water was mixed with 50.0 kg of Puralox SCCa 5/150 (ie a pre-shaped A'203 supplied by SASOL Chemie GmbH of Uberseering, Germany) by adding the support to the solution. The resultant slurry was added to a conical vacuum drier and continuously mixed. The temperature of this slurry was increased to 60°C after which a vacuum of 20 kPa (a) was applied.

During the first 3 hours of the drying step, the temperature was increased slowly and reached 95°C after 3 hours. After 3 hours the vacuum was decreased to 3-15 kPa (a). The impregnated catalyst support was dried for 9 hours, after which this impregnated catalyst support was calcined at 250°C for 6 hours. This catalyst preparation was limited to a single impregnation step, thus the relative low loading of 1 8g Co/1 OOg Al203.

In preparation for its analysis via the Magnetic method, this calcined catalyst precursor was reduced and wax coated in accordance with the procedure described for the preparation of catalyst B.

Catalyst I (18,8gCo/0,052gPt/3,1gBa/1,4gSi/100gAl2O3) Puralox SCCa 5/150 (ie a pre-shaped Al203 catalyst support material supplied by SASOL Germany GmbH) was modified by means of a slurry phase tetra-ethoxy-silane (ie TEOS)/ethanol based impregnation and rotary kiln calcination step according to the method disclosed in WO 99/42214, incorporated herein by reference. In particular, the procedure was as follows : 32g TEOS (tetra-ethoxy-silane) and 200g EtOH was added to 200g Puralox SCCa 51150 (a pre-shaped Al203 catalyst support material supplied by SASOL Germany GmbH) by adding the support to the solution. In the impregnation step, the slurry was added to a vacuum drier and continuously mixed. The slurry was dried at a temperature of 100°C with a pressure of 20mbar being applied. Thereafter the dried impregnated support was calcined at 500°C with a heating rate of 1 °Clmin and an airflow of 1,7dm3nimin in a stainless steel calcination tube for 2 hours.

50g of this modified support material was subsequently impregnated with 3g Ba (NO3) 2 and 30 ml H2O by adding the support to the solution.

In the impregnation step, the slurry was added to a vacuum drier and continuously mixed. The slurry was dried at a temperature of 100°C with a pressure of 20mbar being applied. Thereafter the dried impregnated modified support was calcined at 500°C with a heating rate of 1 °C/min and an airflow of 1,7dm3nimin in a fluidized bed unit for 2 hours.

This 3,1 gBa/1, 4gSi/100gAI203 pre-shaped support material was then impregnated, vacuum dried and calcined with an aqueous Co (N03) 2 solution according to the catalyst preparation procedure disclosed in US 5733839, WO 99/42214 and WO 00/20116, incorporated herein by reference. In particular, Catalyst I was prepared as follows : 50g of this modified pre-shaped support material was then mixed with 22,25g Co (N03) 2.6H2O and 25mg Pt (NH3) 4 (NO3) 2 and 50ml H20 by adding the support to the solution. In the impregnation step, the slurry was added to a vacuum drier and continuously mixed. The temperature of this slurry was increased to 100°C and a vacuum of 20mbar was applied for 2 hours. The dried impregnated material was calcined at 150°C with a heating rate of 1°C/min for 1 hour and then increased to 250°C with a heating rate of 1 °C/min for 4 hours and an air flow of 1,7dm3n/min.

This catalyst preparation was limited to a single impregnation step, thus the relative low loading of 18, SgCo/100gAI203.

In preparation for its analysis via the magnetic method, this calcined catalyst precursor was reduced and wax coated in accordance with the procedure described for the preparation of catalyst B.

The magnetic method analysis yielded the values as given in Table 7.

TABLE 7 Catalyst Magnetic method results obtained on freshly reduced samples Metallic cobalt Mass % cobalt Number Composition crystallite size of contained in maximum metallic abundance crystallites larger than 15nm H 18gCo/0, 05gPt/ 6,1 0, 8 293 100g support I 18, 5gColO, 05gPt/8 21 3,1 gBa/1 OOg support

The apparent discrepancy illustrated in Figure 9 (ie the barium promoted catalyst precursor not being markedly more reducible), may be due to an artifact that was caused by some barium that could have dissolved into the cobalt impregnation solution. The barium impregnated and dried intermediate of catalyst F was specifically calcined at the relative high temperature of 600°C in an attempt to strengthen the bond between alumina and barium. This objective was also enforced by published concerns that cobalt based Fischer-Tropsch catalytic activities are sensitive towards alkaline promotion, and that the structural promotion of cobalt catalysts by, for example magnesia, generally impedes reduction.

It can thus be concluded that Catalyst F all showed qualitative evidence of improved metallic cobalt crystallite size distributions, a characteristic that was expected to produce slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch catalysts of enhanced initial intrinsic activities, and thus also stabilized R. I. A. F.'s.

The expectation expressed in this conclusion was confirmed, as depicted in Table 8: TABLE 8 Title : The slurry phase CSTR Fischer-Tropsch synthesis performance data of the cobalt catalyst : F Catalyst number F Catalyst characteristics: i) Composition 30gCo/0, 075gPt/ 3,1gBa/100gAl2O3 ii) Mass% Co (ie as measured in the finally calcined precursor) 17,4 iii) Mass% reducible Co (ie expressed with respect to the state of the finally calcined precursor) 13, 1* (iv) Co metal surface area as determined through H2 chemisorption (m2/gram catalyst) 9,7 Synthesis performance data: Run analysis number 48£ Time on stream (hours) 15 % (H2 + CO) conversion 51 Reactr partial pressures: H2(bar) 6,5 CO (bar) 3,7 H20 (bar) 3,2 CO2 (bar) 0,2 Initial Relative Intrinsic (Fischer-Tropsch) 3,6 Activity Factor (ie : a ; = R. I. A. F. at ti) *Note : A degree of reduction of 75% is assumed The following conclusions were drawn from Table 8 in combination with Figure8: Catalyst F Catalyst F displayed an initial intrinsic Fischer-Tropsch activity of 3,6 R. I. A. F. units. This was achieved with a cobalt loading of 30g per lOOgAOg. The relative enhancement of ai, as effected through the preparation method of catalyst F, is quantified in Table 9: TABLE 9 a, (R. I. A. F at time initial) 3, 6 Catalyst F Catalyst B with a 10, 0mg Co (NO3) 2.6H20 per m2 (fresh) Al203 loading 2, 8 Catalyst F contained 13.1 mass% reducible cobalt, implying that Figure 5 can be applied to catalyst F by replacing Q with 13,1. The cobalt metal surface area of freshly reduced catalyst F was estimated as 9,7m2/g catalyst, implying a maximum attainable ai of ca 10,0.

The above-mentioned conclusions are consolidated in Table 10: TABLE 10 Initial intrinsic Fischer-Tropsh activities Expressed as a multiple Expressed as a of that of catalyst B percentage of that of the ideal* supported cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalyst Catalyst F 1,29 ca 36 *Note : An ideal supported cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalyst displays the following characteristics: a) A mono-modal metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution in the case of the freshly reduced sample b) A catalyst with a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis effectiveness factor of 1 in the case of the stabilized catalyst.

EXAMPLE 3: (not in accordance with the invention) Catalyst K (30gCo/0. 075gPt/3gF/100qAI203t Sasol Germany GmbH's trademark product: Puralox SCCa 5/150 (i. e. a pre-shaped spherical porous Al203 catalyst support material) was modified during a hydrofluoride impregnation step as follows : 3g of a 48% hydrofluoride acid solution was mixed with 50m1 distilled water in a teflon beaker. This solution was added to 50g of Puralox 5/150 in a 500ml round ball flask in a rotorvapor at 60°C. Aqueous slurry phase impregnation and vacuum drying was effected via the following procedure: Temperature of oil bath Rotorvapor pressure Time (minutes) (°C) (mbar) 60 Atmospheric 10 60 200 30 70 200 90 85 200 60 85 50 240 This vacuum dried F-modified intermediate product was subjected to a fluidised bed calcination step, according to the following procedure: -Continuous air flow of 2.4 dm3n/min -Temperature program: From 25°C to 500°C at 1.6°C/min and keeping it at 500°C for 4 hours The result of this exercise was a 3gF/100gAI203 modified support.

A 30gCo/0. 075gPt/100gAI203 slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch catalyst was prepared on the modified 3gF/100gAI203 pre-shaped support material in accordance with the method of an aqueous slurry phase impregnation and drying, followed by direct fluidised bed calcination as disclosed in US 5733839, WO 99/42214 and WO 00/20116.

In particular the catalyst was prepared as follows : 29.3g Co (N03) 2.6H20 was dissolved in 28m1 distilled water and 0.0167g (NH3) 4Pt (NO3) 2 was dissolved in 7ml distilled water. These two solutions were mixed together in a 500ml round ball flask in a rotorvapor at 60°C and atmospheric pressure, and 35. Og of the 3gFI100gAI203 modified pre-shaped support was added. Aqueous slurry phase impregnation and vacuum drying was effected via the following procedure: Temperature of oil bath Rotorvapor pressure Time (minutes) (°C) (mbar) 60 Atmospheric 10 60 200 30 70 200 90 85 200 60 85 50 240 This vacuum dried intermediate was directly subjected to a fluidized bed calcination step, according to the following procedure: -Continuous air flow of 1.7 dm3n/min -Temperature program: From 25°C to 250°C at 1°C/min and keeping it at 250°C for 6 hours 35. Og of this intermediate calcined material was subjected to the following 2nd cobalt/platinum impregnation and calcination step: 16.5g Co (N03) 2. 6H20 was dissolved in 28ml distilled water and 0.0273g (NH3) 4Pt (NO3) 2 was dissolved in 7ml distilled water. These two solutions were mixed together in a 500moi round ball flask in a rotarvapor at 60°C and atmospheric pressure, and 35. 0g of the ex 1"cobalt/platinum impregnated and calcined intermediate was added. Aqueous slurry phase impregnation and vacuum drying was effected via the following procedure: Temperature of oil bath Rotorvapor pressure Time (minutes) (°C) (mbar) 60 Atmospheric 10 60 200 30 70 200 90 85 200 60 85 50 240 This vacuum dried intermediate was directly subjected to a fluidized bed calcination step, according to the following procedure: -Continuous air flow of 1.7 dm3n/min -Temperature program : From 25°C to 250°C at 1°C/min and keeping it at 250°C for 6 hours In preparation for laboratory scale slurry phase CSTR Fischer-Tropsch synthesis runs, this calcined catalyst precursor was reduced and wax coated in accordance with the procedure described for catalyst B.

This catalyst was also tested for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis behaviour (table 13) and no influence of the fluoride promotion on the intrinsic Fischer- Tropsch performance of the catalyst was observed.

This observation can be explained by the fact that, in contradiction to barium, fluoride is not bonding to the hydroxyl groups that are used for anchoring of the cobalt crystallites, but fluoride is bonding to other hydroxyl groups.

Fluoride is, therefore, not influencing the cobalt crystallite size distribution and thus the intrinsic Fischer-Tropsch activity.

TABLE 13 Catalyst K Catalyst characteristics: 30gCo/0, 075gPt/ i) Composition 3gF/100gAl2O3 ii) Mass% Co (ie as measured in the finally calcined precursor) 19. 0 iii) Mass% reducible Co (ie expressed with respect to the state of the finally calcined 14.3* precursor) Synthesis performance data: Run analkysis number 11# Time on stream (hours) 15 % (H2 + CO) conversion 64 Reactor partial pressures: H2 (bar) 5.3 CO (bar) 3.0 H20 (bar) 4.6 CO2 (bar) 0.2 Initial Relative Intrinsic (Fischer-Tropsch) 3.0 Activity Factor (ie: ai = R. I. A. F. at ti) *Note : A degree of reduction of 75% is assumed EXAMPLE 4 EXAMPLES OF Ai203 SUPPORTED COBALT SLURRY PHASE CATALYST SAMPLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INVENTION (CATALYSTS E AND G) THAT DISPLAYED ENHANCED INITIAL INTRINSIC FISCHER-TROPSCH ACTIVITIES Catalyst samples E and G were prepared in pursuit of this objective mentioned above, ie the tailoring of cobalt oxide crystallite size distributions of calcined (m) gCo/ (0.0025m) gPt/100gAl2O3 Fischer- Tropsch catalyst precursors.

Catalyst E (40gCo/O. 100gPt/100qAI203l SASOL Germany GmbH's trademark product: Puralox SCCa 5/150 (ie a pre-shaped spherical porous Al203 catalyst support material), was coated with a uniform carbon based layer at KataLeuna GmbH Catalysts (Am Haupttor; D-06236 Leuna; Germany) in accordance with a method as described in EP 0681868, incorporated herein by reference. The result of this exercise was a 12, 4gC/100gAI203 modified support.

A 40gCo/O, 100gPt/100Al2O3 slurry phase Fisher-Tropsch catalyst was prepared on this modified 12, 4gC/100gAI203 pre-shaped support material in accordance with the method of aqueous slurry phase impregnation and vacuum drying, followed by direct fluidized bed calcination disclosed in US 5733839, WO 99/42214 and WO 00/20116, incorporated herein by reference. In particular, catalyst E was prepared as follows: 34. 1 g Co (N03) 2.6H20 was dissolved in 40ml distilled water and 0.0185g (NH3) 4PtlNO3) 2 was dissolved in 10ml distilled water. These two solutions were mixed together in a 500ml round ball flask in a rotavapor at 60°C and atmospheric pressure, and 50g of the 12. 4g C/100g Al203 modified support was added. Aqueous slurry phase impregnation and vacuum drying was effected via the following procedure: Temperature of oil bath Rotavapor pressure (°C) (mbar) Time (minutes) 60 Atmospheric 10 60 240 30 70 240 90 85 240 60 85 50 240 This vacuum dried intermediate product was directly subjected to a fluidized bed calcination step, having followed the following procedure: -Continuous air flow of 1.7 dm3n/min -Temperature program : 25°C'°250°C 6hours 250°C 50g of this intermediate calcined material was subjected to the following 2"d cobalt/platinum impregnation and calcination step: 34.1g Co (NO3) 2.6H20 was dissolved in 40mut distilled water and 0.0189g (NH3) 4Pt (NO3) 2 was dissolved in 1 Oml distilled water. These two solutions were mixed together in a 500ml round ball flask in a rotavapor at 60°C and atmospheric pressure, and 50g of the ex 1St impregnated and calcined intermediate was added. Aqueous slurry phase impregnation and vacuum drying was effected in the same manner as during the 1 St cobalt/platinum impregnation step. This vacuum dried intermediate product was directly subjected to a fluidized bed calcination step, having followed the following procedure: -Continuous air flow of 1.7 dm3n/min -Temperature program: 25°C C1rnin 2500C 6hour5 250°C 50g of this intermediate calcined material was subjected to the following 3"cobalt/platinum impregnation and calcination step: 25.4g Co (NO3) 2. 6H20 was dissolved in 40ml distilled water and 0.0446g (NH3) 4Pt (NO3) 2 was dissolved in 10m ! distilled water. These two solutions were mixed together in a 500ml round ball flask in a rotavapor at 60°C and atmospheric pressure, and 50g of the ex 2n'i impregnated and calcined intermediate was added. Aqueous slurry phase impregnation and vacuum drying was effected in the same manner as during the 1 St cobalt/platinum impregnation step. This vacuum dried intermediate product was directly subjected to a fluidized bed calcination step, having followed the following procedure: -Continuous air flow of 1.7 dm3n/min -Temperature program: 25°C'°50°C 6hours 50°C A total of three consecutive impregnation steps were thus performed as dictated by the restrictions imposed by the pore volume of the solid materials.

In preparation for laboratory scale slurry phase CSTR Fischer-Tropsch synthesis runs, this calcined catalyst precursor was reduced externally at 350°C. For this purpose 22,8g of the catalyst was reduced at 1 bar pure H2 (space velocity of 2000mln/g catalyst. h), whilst the temperature was increased from 25°C to 350°C at a rate of 1 °C/min, where-after the temperature was kept constant at 350°C for 16 hours.

The reduced catalyst was allowed to cool down to room temperature where the hydrogen was replaced by argon and the catalyst was unloaded in molten wax under the protection of an argon blanket. This wax coated catalyst was then transferred to the slurry synthesis reactor.

Catalyst G (30gCo/0l075gPt/100qAl203l A Pt promoted cobalt catalyst was prepared on SASOL Germany GmbH's trademark product: Puralox SCCa 5/150 as the selected pre-shaped support material, in accordance with the method of aqueous slurry phase impregnation and vacuum drying, followed by direct fluidized bed calcination disclosed in US 5733839, WO 99/42214 and WO 00/20116.

In particular, the catalyst was prepared as follows : 44.6g Co (N03) 2. 6H20 was dissolved in 40ml distilled water and 0.0248g (NH3) 4Pt (NO3) 2 was dissolved in 10ml distilled water. These two solutions were mixed together in a 500ml round ball flask in a rotavapor at 60°C and atmospheric pressure, and 50g of the Puralox SCCa 5/1 50 support material was added. Aqueous slurry phase impregnation and vacuum drying was effected via the following procedure: Temperature of oil bath Rotavapor pressure (°C) (mbar) Time (minutes) 60 Atmospheric 10 60 240 30 70 244 90 85 242 60 8550240 This vacuum dried intermediate product was directly subjected to a fluidized bed calcination step according to the following procedure: -Continuous air flow of 1.7 dm',/min -Temperature program: 25°C 1 C/min 250°C 6hour5 >250°C This calcined intermediate product of the 15t cobalt/platinum impregnation and calcination step was then subjected to a partial reduction step prior to the 2nd (and last) cobalt/platinum impregnation step. For this purpose this intermediate material was reduced at 1 bar pure hydrogen (space velocity of 2000 Min/9 intermediate. h) whilst the temperature was increased from 25°C to 230°C at a rate of 1 °C/min whereafter the temperature was kept constant at 230°C for 2 hours.

35. Og of this partially reduced intermediate material was transferred to the aqueous impregnation solution of the 2nd cobalt/platinum impregnation step under the protection of an argon blanket, an impregnation solution that was prepared as follows : 22.7g Co (NO3) 2. 6H20 was dissolved in 28moi distilled water and 0.0401 g (NH3) 4Pt (NO3) 2 was dissolved in 7ml distilled water. These two solutions were mixed together in a 500ml round ball flask in a rotavapor at 60°C and atmospheric pressure.

Aqueous slurry phase impregnation and vacuum drying was effected via the following procedure: Temperature of oil bath Rotavapor pressure (°C) (mbar) Time (minutes) 60 Atmospheric 10 60 300 30 70 307 90 85 301 60 85 50 240 This vacuum dried intermediate product was directly subjected to a fluidized bed calcination step, according to the following procedure: -Continuous air flow of 1.7 dm3n/min -Temperature program: 250C 1 IC/min 2500 C 6hours 2500C In preparation for laboratory scale slurry phase CSTR Fischer-Tropsch synthesis runs, the finally calcined catalyst precursor was reduced and wax coated in accordance with the procedure described for the preparation of catalyst B.

The Temperature Programmed Reduction (ie TPR) profiles of catalysts E and G (Figures 10 and 11) are in line with the anticipation that an easier reducibility is a qualitative indication of an increase in the average cobalt oxide crystallite size, as also explained in example 2. An enhancement in the initial intrinsic Fischer-Tropsch activity, in line with Figure 8 was anticipated.

It can thus be concluded that Catalysts E and G all showed qualitative evidence of improved metallic cobalt crystallite size distributions, a characteristic that was expected to produce slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch catalysts of enhanced initial intrinsic activities, and thus also stabilized R. I. A. F.'s.

The expectation expressed in this conclusion was confirmed, as depicted in Table 14: TABLE 14 Title: The slurry phase CSTR Fischer-Tropsch synthesis performance data of the cobalt catalyst : E and G 5 Catalyst number E G Catalyst characteristics: 40gCo/0, 100gPt/ 30gCo/0, 075gPt/ i) Composition 1 OOgAI203 1 OOgAI20 ii) Mass% Co (ie as measured in the finally 22,6 18,6 calcined precursor) iii) Mass% reducible Co (ie expressed with respect to the state of the finally 17,0* 14,0* calcined precursor) (iv) Co metal surface area as determined through H2 chemisorption (m2/gram 14,9 12,9 catalyst) Synthesis performance data: Run analysis number 45£1 46£1 Time on stream (hours) 15 15 % (H2 + CO) conversion 76 65 Reactor partial pressures: H2 (bar) 4,0 5, 0 CO (bar) 2,3 2 ; 9 H20 (bar) 5, 9 4,4 CO2 (bar) 0,5 0,3 Initial Relative Intrinsic (Fischer-Tropsch) Activity 5,6 4,7 Factor (ie: ai = R. I. A. F. at tu *Note: A degree of reduction of 75% is assumed

The following conclusions were drawn from Table 14 in combination with Figures 8 and 12: Catalyst E: Catalyst E displayed an initial intrinsic Fischer-Tropsch activity of 5,6 R. I. A. F. units. This was achieved with a cobalt loading of 40g per 1 OOgAl203.

In the case of catalyst B, a cobalt loading of 30gCo/100gAI203 was postulated as the optimum for a catalyst prepared on SASOL Germany GmbH's products: Puralox SCCa 5/150, that is limited to a maximum of two aqueous phase Co (N03) 2 impregnation steps. This preferred pre- shaped spherical Al2O3 support material is characterized by a surface area of 150 + 10m2/g, implying that a 30gCo/100gAI203 catalyst corresponds to a Co (N03) 2.6H2O loading of 10mg2 fresh Al2O3. Catalyst B is, however, also characterized by an a, of 2,8 0.2. Figure 12 was constructed from the combination of this knowledge with the ai's derived from other slurry Fischer-Tropsch synthesis run numbers.

The relative enhancement of a,, as effected through the preparation method of catalyst E, is quantified in Table 15: TABLE 15 ai (R. I. A. F at time initial) 5,6 Catalyst E Catalyst B with a 13,3mg Co(NO3)2. 6H2O per m2 (fresh) Al203 loading 3,3*

*Note : estimated from the best fitted equation indicated on Figure 12 Catalyst E contained 17.0 mass% reducible cobalt, implying that Figure 8 can be applied to catalyst E by replacing n with 17, 0.

The cobalt metal surface area of freshly reduced catalyst E was estimated as 14, 9 m2/g catalyst, implying a maximum attainable ai of ca 7,5.

Catalyst G Catalyst G displayed an initial intrinsic Fischer-Tropsch activity of 4,7 R. I. A. F. units. This was achieved with a cobalt loading of 30g per 100gAl2O3. The relative enhancement of a,, as effected through the preparation method of catalyst G, is quantified in Table 16: TABLE 16

ai (R. I. A. F at time initial) 4. 7 Catalyst G Catalyst B with a 10, 0mg Co (N03) 2.6 per m2 (fresh) Al203 loading 2,8 ; *Note : estimated from the best fitted equation indicated on Figure 12 Catalyst G contained 14.0 mass% reducible cobalt, implying that Figure 8 can be applied to catalyst G by replacing Q with 14,0. The cobalt metal surface area of freshly reduced catalyst G was estimated as 12,9m21g catalyst, implying a maximum attainable a, of ca 4,3.

The above-mentioned conclusions are consolidated in Table 17: TABLE 17 Initial intrinsic Fischer-Tropsh activities Expressed as a Expressed as a multiple of that of percentage of that of catalyst B the ideal* supported cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalyst Catalyst E 1,70 ca 75 Catalyst G 1,68 ca 100

*Note : An ideal supported cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalyst displays the following characteristics: a) A mono-modal metallic cobalt crystallite size distribution in the case of the freshly reduced sample b) A catalyst with a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis effectiveness factor of 1 in the case of the stabilized catalyst.