| abstract |
A process for preparing a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst is characterised by a porous support material selected from alumina, titania, zirconia, zeolites, carbonaceous material and mixtures thereof, having an alkaline earth metal content of less than 1000 ppm. An example of the alkaline earth metal is calcium or magnesium. The support material is impregnated with cobalt source, such as cobalt nitrate, cobalt carbonate, cobalt (hexa)amine salt(s) and organic cobalt compounds, which contributes an additional alkaline earth metal content of less than 1000 ppm in the final catalyst. The impregnated support is calcined at a temperature of at least 200°C to yield a cobalt oxide catalyst with an alkaline earth metal content of less than 2000 ppm. Also disclosed is a catalyst prepared using the method and a process for producing hydrocarbons using the catalyst. |