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The medium pressure Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of liquid hydrocarbons conducted with an iron catalyst is made more efficient by temporarily suspending conventional synthesis and treating the catalyst with a high partial pressure of water vapor, after which conventional synthesis is resumed. The treat

The medium pressure Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of liquid hydrocarbons conducted with an iron catalyst is made more efficient by temporarily suspending conventional synthesis and treating the catalyst with a high partial pressure of water vapor, after which conventional synthesis is resumed. The treatment inparts a large increase in selectivity for liquids with reduction of methane formation. The treatment is very effective with alkali (e.g. potassium) promoted precipitated iron catalyst.

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In a conventional medium pressure Fischer Tropach process for synthesis of a hydrocarbon mixture, which process comprises contacting under synthesis conditions a feed consisting of a substantially dry mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen carbon with an activated, alkali-promoted precipitated iron

In a conventional medium pressure Fischer Tropach process for synthesis of a hydrocarbon mixture, which process comprises contacting under synthesis conditions a feed consisting of a substantially dry mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen carbon with an activated, alkali-promoted precipitated iron catalyst and recovering liquid hydrocarbons, the improvement comprising: suspending said conventional synthesis; treating said catalyst for about 0.5 to about 100 hours in a stream consisting essentially of water vapor under a combination of conditions including a temperature of 160 to 400°C., a total pressure of 10 to 1000 psig, and a partial pressure of water vapor effective to selectivate said catalyst; and, resuming said conventional synthesis with said substantially dry mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, whereby increasing the efficiency of said process for synthesizing liquid hydrocarbons.