Sensitivity of Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis and Water-Gas Shift Catalysts to Poisons from High-Temperature High-Pressure Entrained-Flow (EF) Oxygen-Blown Gasifier Gasification of Coal/Biomass Mixtures

There has been a recent shift in interest in converting not only natural gas and coal derived syngas to Fischer-Tropsch synthesis products, but also converting biomass-derived syngas, as well as syngas derived from coal and biomass mixtures. As such, conventional catalysts based on iron and cobalt may not be suitable without proper development. This is because, while ash, sulfur compounds, traces of metals, halide compounds, and nitrogen containing chemicals will likely be lower in concentration in syngas derived from mixtures of coal and biomass (i.e., using entrained-flow oxygen-blown gasifier gasification gasification) than solely from coal, other compounds may actually be increased. Of particular concern are compounds containing alkali chemicals like the chlorides of sodium and potassium. The CAER houses a battery of 18 continuously stirred tank reactors and have nearly completed the installation of two reactors for studying catalyst poisoning. Moreover, CAER researchers have long been studying the impact of alkali dopants to both Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and water-gas shift (WGS) catalysts. Therefore, the CAER is well-positioned to provide an excellent value and efficacy to the DOE in carrying out experiments aiming to ascertain the impact of these higher sodium and potassium alkali levels on not only the performance of WGS and FT processes, but also of the impact on the catalyst structure-function properties.