Solids/Liquid Separation Challenges in Gas to Liquid Processes

Gas to liquid processes feature fischer-Tropsch reactors which transform syngas, a mixture of CO and H2, into hydrocarbon molecules. The reactor platform ranges from fixed bed to various forms of slurry reactors; the slurry bubble reactors (SBR) is used extensively. For GTL processes using slurry bubble column reactors, the finely graded iron or cobalt based catalyst is used. Solids liquid separation units- filters, settlers, hydrocyclone, etc.,- are used to enable the recovery of the Fischer tropsch products and facilitate catalyst recycle. The solids/liquid separation challenges of a typical gas to liquid process will be discussed.