Multi-stage adiabatic method for performing the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

1. Process for preparing liquid hydrocarbons from the process gases carbon monoxide and hydrogen, comprising a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in the presence of heterogeneous catalysts, which is performed in 5 to 40 series-connected reaction zones in which the heterogeneous catalysts are present under adiabatic conditions at temperatures of 220° C. to 300° C., wherein downstream of each reaction zone is at least one heat exchange zone through which at least the process gases are passed and around each reaction zone is a thermal insulation zone.

2. Process according to claim 1 , wherein the conversion is accomplished in 7 to 30 series-connected reaction zones.

3. Process according to claim 1 , wherein the inlet temperature of the process gas entering the first reaction zone is from 10 to 260° C.

4. Process according to claim 1 , wherein the absolute pressure at the inlet to the first reaction zone is between 10 and 70 bar.

5. Process according to claim 1 , wherein the residence time of the process gas in all reaction zones together is between 10 and 700 s.

6. Process according to claim 1 , wherein the catalysts are present in fixed bed arrangement.

7. Process according to claim 6 , wherein the catalysts are present in the form of monoliths.

8. Process according to claim 7 , wherein the monolith comprises channels having a diameter of 0.1 to 3 mm.

9. Process according to claim 1 , wherein the process gases, optionally together with the liquid hydrocarbons, are passed through the at least one heat exchange zone.

10. Process according to claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange zones are microstructured heat exchangers comprising fluid fluid-conducting channels with a hydraulic diameter between 50 μm and 5 mm.

11. Process according to claim 1 , wherein as the process gases and/or liquid hydrocarbons are cooled in the heat exchange zones by the heat exchanger, steam is raised.

12. Process according to claim 11 , wherein the steam is raised by partial evaporation.

13. Process according to claim 1 , wherein the maximum outlet temperature of the process gas from the reaction zones is within a range from 220° C. to 300° C.

14. Process according to claim 13 , wherein the maximum outlet temperature of the process gas from the reaction zones is within a range from 240° C. to 280° C.

15. Process according to claim 1 , wherein the maximum outlet temperature of the process gas from the reaction zones is within a range from 250° C. to 260° C.

16. Process according to claim 1 , wherein in the first reaction zone a catalyst is used, which has under otherwise identical conditions a less activity for the reaction of carbon monoxide with hydrogen compared to the catalysts used in the other reaction zones.

17. Process according to claim 1 , wherein the same catalysts are used in each reaction zone.