Nanosized cobalt-based catalyst prepared by supercritical phase condition for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

A series of nanosized Co/Zn/Mn/K composite catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis （FTS） were prepared by supercritical fluid drying （SCFD） method and common drying （CD） method. The nanosized cobalt-based catalysts were characterized by XRD, TEM and BET techniques. Their catalytic performances were tested in a slurry-bed reactor under FTS reaction conditions. The drying and crystallization were carried out simultaneously during SCFD, therefore, the catalysts prepared by SCFD method have ideal structure and show the FTS performance superior to the others prepared by CD method. The FTS activity and selectivity were improved via adding Zn, Mn and K promoters, and less CH4 and CO2 as well as higher yield of C5＋ products were achieved. The optimal performance of a 92% CO conversion and a 65% C5＋ product yield was obtained over a catalyst with the component of Co/Zn/Mn/K = 100/50/10/7. Furthermore, the catalytic performance was studied under the conditions of liquid-phase and supercritical phase slurry-bed, and C5＋ product yield were 57.4% and 65.4%, respectively. In summary, better catalytic performance was obtained using the nanosized catalyst prepared by SCFD method under supercritical reaction conditions, resulting in higher conversion of CO, less CO2 byproduct, and higher yield of C5＋ products.

Effect of operating conditions and potassium content on Fischer-Tropsch liquid products produced by potassium-promoted iron catalysts

The dependencies of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis liquid hydrocarbon product distribution on operating pressure and temperature have been studied over three potassium-promoted iron catalysts with increasing potassium molar content. The study followed an experimental planning and the results were analyzed based on surface response methodology. The effects of different operating conditions and potassium contents on the liquid product distribution were compared based on number average carbon number and dispersion. Results showed that high pressures （25 to 30 arm） favored the production of waxes that could be converted into liquid fuels through hydrocracking, while greater direct selectivity towards diesel was favored by low pressure （20 arm） using catalysts with low potassium to iron molar ratios. The liquid product distribution produced using an iron catalyst with high potassium content presented higher number-average number of carbons when compared to the distribution obtained using an iron catalyst with low potassium content.

The green fuel from carbon waste： optimization and product selectivity model studies

Increase in greenhouse gases, has made scientists to substitute alternative fuels for fossil fuels. Nowadays, converting biomass into liquid by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is a major concern for alternative fuels （gasoline, diesel etc.）. Selectivity of Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon product （green fuel） is an important issue. In this study, the experimental data has been obtained from three factors; temperature, H2/CO ratio and pressure in the fixed bed micro reactor. T = 543-618 （K）, P = 3-10 （bar）, H2/CO = 1-2 and space velocity = 4500 （l/h） were the reactor conditions. The results of product modeling for methane （CH4）, ethane （C2H6）, ethylene （C2H4） and CO conversion with experimental data were compared. The effective parameters and the interaction between them were investigated in the model. H2/CO ratio and pressure and interaction between pressure and H2/CO in ethane selectivity model and CO conversion and interaction between temperature and H2/CO ratio in methane selectivity model and ethylene gave the best results. To determine the optimal conditions for light hydrocarbons, ANOVA and RSM were employed. Finally, products optimization was done and results were concluded.