Fischer-Tropsch synthesis product selectivity over an industrial iron-based catalyst: Effect of process conditions

The effect of process conditions on product selectivity of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) over industrial iron-based catalyst (100 Fe/5 Cu/4.2 K/25 SiO2) was studied in a 1-L stirred tank slurry reactor. Experiments were performed over a range of different reaction conditions, including three temperatures (T = 493, 513 and 533K), four pressures (P = 0.8, 1.5, 2.25 and 2.5 MPa), two synthesis gas feed molar ratios (H-2/CO = 0.67 and 2) and gas space velocity from 0.52 to 23.5 Ndm(3)/g-Fe/h. The effect of process conditions on reaction pathways of FTS and secondary 1-olefin reactions was analyzed by comparing product selectivities, chain growth probabilities and ratios of main products (n-paraffin, 1- and 2-olefin). Reduction of methane production and increase of C5+ products was achieved by decreasing temperature, inlet H-2/CO ratio and/or increasing pressure. Overall selectivity toward methane and C5+ did not show significant changes with variations in residence time. All of the product selectivity variations were shown to be related to changes in chain length dependent growth probabilities. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.