Pyrolysis of Rice husk, Coconut shell, and Cladophora glomerata algae and application of the produced biochars as support for cobalt catalyst in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

The performance of bio chars prepared from Rice husk, Coconut shell, and Cladophora glomerata algae as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) cobalt catalyst support is investigated. The biochars are synthesized through the pyrolysis process. The three substrates were activated precisely at a specific temperature and time. 15 wt% cobalt catalysts were prepared by impregnation method. The physicochemical properties of catalysts were assessed using different techniques. The activity and selectivity of catalysts were studied in a fixed bed micro reactor at 220 degrees C, H2/CO ratio of 2, feed flow rate of 60 mL/min, 2 MP pressure and 14-16 h reduction on 400 degrees C. The catalytic performance of biochars supported cobalt catalysts was evaluated and compared with a gamma-Alumina supported industrial catalyst. The modified algae biochar supported cobalt catalyst showed the highest FTS rate of 0.345 g HC/(g cat. h) and 67% CO conversion. While, C5+ liquid hydrocarbons selectivity showed a slight decrease.

Automated summary

The performance of bio chars made from Rice husk, Coconut shell, and Cladophora glomerata algae as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) cobalt catalyst support was examined. The biochars were produced by pyrolysis process and activated at specific temperature and time. 15 wt% cobalt catalysts were prepared through impregnation method. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were analyzed using various techniques. The catalytic performance of biochars supported cobalt catalysts was compared with gamma-Alumina supported industrial catalyst, and the modified algae biochar supported cobalt catalyst showed the highest FTS rate and CO conversion rate with a slight decrease in C5+ liquid hydrocarbons selectivity.