The first domestic production facility for cobalt-based slurry-bed Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts developed by Yanchang Petroleum was successfully commissioned

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On July 1, 2015, the first batch of 1.36 tons of cobalt-based slurry-bed Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts, produced by the catalyst preparation unit of Yulin Coal Chemical Company under Yan’an Petroleum, was manufactured following a 54-hour calcination process and a 44-hour reduction reaction that began on June 25. After a comprehensive evaluation by the Dalian Institute of Physical Chemistry, it was determined that this catalyst achieves the desired results and meets the conditions for pilot production. This marks the successful commissioning of the first domestic facility for producing cobalt-based slurry-bed Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts at Yulin Coal Chemical Company, laying the foundation for the commercial operation of cobalt-based coal-to-oil projects in the future. The catalyst preparation unit for the syngas-to-oil project began conducting tests with activated carbon on November 1, 2014. Due to the lack of existing operational experience to draw upon, numerous difficulties arose. Through joint technical efforts by researchers from the Dalian Institute of Physical Chemistry, Beijing Engineering Company, and Yulin Coal Chemical Company, and after more than 7 months as well as 10 trials and modifications, five major technical problems encountered in similar catalyst preparation facilities both domestically and internationally were resolved: poor fluidization of materials in the calcination and reduction reactors, material leakage, uneven fluidization, inconsistent temperature control, and poor filtering efficiency of the top filters. Initial success was achieved recently. The successful testing of this device has created favorable conditions for the production of subsequent units in the Yulin coal-to-syngas-to-oil project, laying a solid foundation for the official start of operations at the beginning of September.