Fischer-Tropsch wax upgrading

Higher quality and lower emissions

Traditionally considered a waste product and often burnt off in pollution-causing gas flares, associated, stranded, shale gas, and similar gases can now be monetized by conversion into saleable transportation fuels in a Fischer-Tropsch (FT)-based gas-to-liquid (GTL) plant.

Topsoe’s unique proprietary autothermal reforming (ATR) technology is the market-leading technology for syngas production at GTL plants. Tailored Topsoe catalysts and process designs help plants upgrade the product of FT synthesis by hydrotreating of the liquid fraction. This is done to improve stability and hydrocracking/isomerization of the heavy, waxy fraction when the objective is conversion into clean transportation fuels. Dewaxing may also be required to improve cold-flow properties due to the inherent paraffinic nature of FT products. The result is additional high-quality products for sale and lower overall emissions.

Catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch wax upgrading

TK-609 HyBRIM™ catalyst

A high-activity, first-stage NiMo catalyst. It is ideal for use as a first-stage catalyst in hydrocrackers, where maximum HDN of straight-run and cracked fractions in the VGO range is essential.

TK-921 catalyst

An amorphous hydrocracking catalyst with high selectivity for middle distillates. It provides high-end point reduction at low conversion and hydrogenation of the heavy end of the feed.

TK-928 catalyst

A catalyst specifically designed for cold-flow improvement (dewaxing) of diesel, renewable diesel and waxy feeds such as Fischer-Tropsch products.

TK-932 catalyst

A catalyst is specifically designed for cold-flow improvement (dewaxing) of nitrogen-containing diesel, renewable diesel and waxy feeds.

TK-611 HyBRIM™ catalyst

A high-activity NiMo catalyst for maximum HDN of straight run and cracked fractions in the VGO range.

TK-6001 HySwell™ catalyst

An ultra high-activity NiMo catalyst for maximum volume swell. It is outstanding for use as a first-stage catalyst in hydrocracking units.

Catalyst support

Our Catalyst Support is designed to support the combined weight of the catalyst, support material and oil. It can also withstand pressure drop over the catalyst bed during the entire catalyst ...

Inlet diffuser

Our Inlet Diffusers are designed to uniformly deliver gas and liquid to the distribution tray below, while keeping the liquid on the tray level.

Scale catcher

Our Scale Catching technology is a cost effective solution to delay pressure drop development and significantly increase unit utilization. Also reduces the amount of top grading material needed.

Outlet collector

Our Outlet Collector ensures even flow distribution in the bottom bed to maximize catalyst utilization and prevents bed migration to downstream piping and equipment.

Quench mixer

Our Quench Mixer ensures efficient mixing of catalyst bed effluents from both above and from the cold quench stream.

Redistribution tray

Our Redistribution Tray ensures uniform redistribution of the mixer effluents to the catalyst bed.

Distributor tray

Our Vapor Lift Distributor Tray (VLT) ensures uniform distribution of liquid and gas over the entire cross section area of the catalyst bed.

Catalytic dewaxing

Our dewaxing technology radically reduces the yield loss of the diesel fraction by as much as 30% compared to conventional dewaxing technologies.

Revamping hydroprocessing units

There are many good business reasons for considering revamping a hydroprocessing unit. We provide support throughout all phases of the project.

Applications within this area

Shale oil processing

With dedicated laboratories, pilot testing facilities, process designs, reactor internals, and performance catalysts, we have the comprehensive expertise and experience it takes to convert shale...

Spent lube processing

Our portfolio of catalysts offer high tolerance to feed contaminants, while dramatically lowering aromatics and sulfur content in the feed. Our re-refining can even improve cloud point and...

Coal tar processing

Our coal tar processing technology offers the possibility of on-site tar upgrading from coke ovens and coal gasifiers to high-quality, low-sulfur diesel, naphtha, and lube oil base.

Contact us

Do you have a question about our products or solutions? Or do you want to know how our technologies can support your business? Contact our experts today.