Direct synthesis of isoparaffin by modified Fischer–Tropsch synthesis using hybrid catalyst of iron catalyst and zeolite

Activation Energies for Chain Growth Propagation and Termination in Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis on Iron Catalyst as a Function of Catalyst Particle Size

The influence of the catalyst particle size in determining Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) performance for nano-structured iron catalysts was investigated. The catalysts were prepared by a microemulsion method and to achieve a series of catalysts with different iron particle size, the water-to-surfactant molar ratio (W/S) in the microemulsion system varied from 4 to 12. The results demonstrate that by decreasing the levels of active phase of the iron catalyst, the termination rates for chain growth are increased compared to the propagation rates. In addition, the activation energy for chain propagation is lower than for chain termination, and this difference (Et – Ep) for the hydrocarbon product distributions which is characterised by α1, is lower than the hydrocarbon product distribution which is characterised by α2 The results indicate the H2 concentration on the catalyst surface is decreased by increasing the catalyst particle size. Thus, the dependence of α (α1, and/or α2) on H2 partial pressures is increased by decreasing of catalyst particle size and the dependence of α2 on H2 partial pressures is weaker than for α1.

Tuning interactions between zeolite and supported metal by physical-sputtering to achieve higher catalytic performances

To substitute for petroleum, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is an environmentally benign process to produce synthetic diesel (n-paraffin) from syngas. Industrially, the synthetic gasoline (iso-paraffin) can be produced with a FTS process followed by isomerization and hydrocracking processes over solid-acid catalysts. Herein, we demonstrate a cobalt nano-catalyst synthesized by physical-sputtering method that the metallic cobalt nano-particles homogeneously disperse on the H-ZSM5 zeolite support with weak Metal-Support Interactions (MSI). This catalyst performed the high gasoline-range iso-paraffin productivity through the combined FTS, isomerization and hydrocracking reactions. The weak MSI results in the easy reducibility of the cobalt nano-particles; the high cobalt dispersion accelerates n-paraffin diffusion to the neighboring acidic sites on the H-ZSM5 support for isomerization and hydrocracking. Both factors guarantee its high CO conversion and iso-paraffin selectivity. This physical-sputtering technique to synthesize the supported metallic nano-catalyst is a promising way to solve the critical problems caused by strong MSI for various processes.

Exploring iron-based multifunctional catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: a review

The continuous increase in oil prices together with an increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has prompted an increased interest in the production of liquid fuels from non-petroleum sources to ensure the continuation of our worldwide demands while maximizing CO(2) utilization. In this sense, the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) technology provides a feasible option to render high value-added hydrocarbons. Alternative sources, such as biomass or coal, offer a real possibility to realize these purposes by making use of H(2)-deficient or CO(2)-rich syngas feeds. The management of such feeds ideally relies on the use of iron catalysts, which exhibit the unique ability to adjust the H(2)/CO molar ratio to an optimum value for hydrocarbon synthesis through the water-gas-shift reaction. Taking advantage of the emerging attention to hybrid FT-synthesis catalysts based on cobalt and their associated benefits, an overview of the current state of literature in the field of iron-based multifunctional catalysts is presented. Of particular interest is the use of zeolites in combination with a FT catalyst in a one-stage operation, herein named multifunctional, which offer key opportunities in the modification of desired product distributions and selectivity, to eventually overcome the quality limitations of the fuels prepared under intrinsic FT conditions. This review focuses on promising research activities addressing the conversion of syngas to liquid fuels mediated by iron-based multifunctional materials, highlights their preparation and properties, and discusses their implication and challenges in the area of carbon utilization through H(2)/CO(+CO(2)) mixtures.