Preparation of iron compounds by hydrothermal conversion

Abstract

A continuous process for the hydrothermal conversion of a solid starting iron compound selected from the group of iron oxides, iron hydroxides, iron oxyhydroxides, and mixtures thereof into a solid product iron compound with different physical, chemical, and/or structural properties. The process comprises the steps of a) dispersing the solid starting iron compound in a liquid thus forming a suspension, and b) feeding the suspension continuously though one or more agitated conversion vessel(s), in which vessel(s) the solid starting iron compound is converted into the solid product iron compound under hydrothermal conditions.

1 . An apparatus for continuously converting a solid starting iron compound to a solid product iron compound comprising: 
 a feed preparation vessel wherein a suspension of the solid starting iron compound in a liquid is prepared;    one or more agitated conversion vessels operating under hydrothermal conditions to which the prepared suspension is continuously fed and wherein the solid starting iron compound is converted into a solid product iron compound having different physical, chemical, or structural properties from the solid starting iron compound, and    a cooling vessel wherein the solid product iron compound is cooled.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a mill wherein the solid product iron compound is ground.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a separation device for separating seeds.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a means for recycling seeds to the mill.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a means for adding seeds to at least one of the one or more conversion vessels.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a means for forming a shaped body comprising the solid product iron compound.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a means for calcining the shaped body.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the shaped body is a catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, Fluid Catalytic Cracking, Hydroprocessing, Hydrocracking, or Hydrogenation reactions.