| abstract |
A process for producing a supported cobalt-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst process includes, in a first activation stage, treating a particulate catalyst precursor, with a reducing gas, at a space velocity, SV1, and at a heating rate, HR1, up to a temperature, T1, where 80°C≤T1≤180°C. In a second activation stage, the resultant partially treated precursor is treated with a gas, at a space velocity, SV2, and a heating rate, HR2, where 0≤HR2≥HR1, for a time, t1, where t1 is up to 20 hours. There after, the resultant partially reduced precursor is treated, in a third activation stage, with a reducing gas, at a space velocity, SV3, and at a heating rate, HR3, up to a temperature, T2. The partially reduced precursor is maintained at T2 for a time, t2, where t2 is from 0 to 20 hours to obtain an activated catalyst. When t1=0, then SV3>SV1 and HR3≥HR1. |