Trends in Fischer-Tropsch reactor technology - opportunities for structured reactors

Reactor design for Fischer - Tropsch synthesis has always been a nonoptimal compromise. Using the systematic approach for multiphase reactor selection by Krishna and Sie, the requirements for three different strategy levels, namely catalyst design, injection and dispersion strategies, and hydrodynamic flow regime, are analyzed. The presently commercially used reactor types are discussed on the basis of this analysis. Two novel reactor types, gas lift reactor and monolithic reactor, are introduced as alternative solutions. Especially, the monolithic reactor appears to fit the reactor needs of the Fischer - Tropsch synthesis very well.