Catalysts

Abstract

A catalyst precursor suitable for the Fischer Tropsch reaction is described comprising cobalt oxide supported on a porous support wherein the porous support is a ceramic foam comprising a closed cell structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A Fischer Tropsch reaction catalyst precursor, comprising cobalt oxide supported on a porous support that is a ceramic foam comprising a closed cell structure, wherein the ceramic foam has a cell fraction in the range of from 50 to 95 vol % relative to the volume of the ceramic foam. 
     
     
         2 . The catalyst precursor of  claim 1 , wherein the cobalt content, expressed as Co, is in the range of 5-50% by weight of the total precursor. 
     
     
         3 . The catalyst precursor of  claim 1 , wherein up to 20% by volume of the cell volume is interconnected. 
     
     
         4 . The catalyst precursor of  claim 1 , wherein the closed cell structure comprises cells having an average cell diameter in a size range of from 10 to 150 μm. 
     
     
         5 . The catalyst precursor of  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic foam contains cells having cell walls, where the cell wall thicknesses is up to 500 μm with an average cell wall thickness in the range of 10-100 μm. 
     
     
         6 . The catalyst precursor of  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic foam comprises titania. 
     
     
         7 . The catalyst precursor of  claim 1 , that has been subjected to a heating step at a temperature in the range of 500-1600° C. 
     
     
         8 . A catalyst comprising elemental cobalt supported on a porous ceramic foam support having a closed cell structure, wherein the ceramic foam support has a cell fraction in the range of from 50 to 95 vol % relative to the volume of the ceramic foam support. 
     
     
         9 . The catalyst of  claim 8 , wherein the cobalt content, expressed as Co, is in the range of 5-50% by weight of the total precursor. 
     
     
         10 . The catalyst of  claim 8 , wherein up to 20% by volume of the cell volume is interconnected. 
     
     
         11 . The catalyst of  claim 8 , wherein the closed cell structure comprises cells having an average cell diameter in a size range of from 10 to 150 μm. 
     
     
         12 . The catalyst of  claim 8 , wherein the ceramic foam contains cells having cell walls, where the cell wall thicknesses is up to 500 μm with an average cell wall thickness in the range of 10-100 μm. 
     
     
         13 . The catalyst of  claim 8 , wherein the ceramic foam comprises titania. 
     
     
         14 . The catalyst of  claim 8 , prepared by applying a reducing gas stream to a Fisher Tropsch reaction catalyst precursor comprising cobalt oxide supported on a porous support that is a ceramic foam comprising a closed cell structure, wherein the ceramic foam has a cell fraction in the range of from 50 to 95 vol % relative to the volume of the ceramic foam. 
     
     
         15 . A Fisher-Tropsch reaction process for producing hydrocarbons, comprising contacting a synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen with a catalyst of  claim 8 .