Effect of start-up solvent on the performance of Co catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in stirred-tank reactor

Sandeep Badoga, Muthu Kumaran Gnanamani, Michela Martinelli, Dennis E. Sparks, Wenping Ma

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The starting solvent is essential for carrying out Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis in a stirred-tank reactor. The most commonly used solvents are C28+ hydrocarbon oils, wax, heavier wax, and FT wax. In general, FT activity of Co-based catalysts was found to decrease for initial days, and one of the reasons may be related to the filling of catalyst pores with heavier wax leading to lower gas diffusions and thus lower CO conversion. In this work, therefore, solvents with varying molecular weight and polarity, including glycerol, 1-octanol, Polywax-655, and dimethyl phthalate were tested as a starting medium for 0.27%Ag-25%Co/Al2O3 catalyst. It was found that low molecular weight non-polar solvent, for example, Polywax 655 showed higher conversions. On the other hand, glycerol a high polar solvent tends to firmly bound with a catalyst surface and the associated water produced during FT synthesis could trigger catalyst deactivation from the oxidation of cobalt. This indicates the superiority of non-polar over polar solvents for FT synthesis. However, 1-octanol as a starting solvent showed the least catalytic deactivation rate and competitive FTS activity. Thus, 1-octanol has the potential as a start-up solvent for FT reaction in stirred tank reactors.

Original languageEnglish
Article number117707
JournalFuel
Volume272
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 15 2020

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

  • Cobalt
  • CSTR
  • Fischer-Tropsch
  • Polar solvents
  • Polywax
  • Starting solvent

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Fuel Technology
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Organic Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of start-up solvent on the performance of Co catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in stirred-tank reactor'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this