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Title: Fischer-Tropsch slurry phase process variations. Quarterly report, April 1-June 30, 1986

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5511259

In studies at 232/sup 0/C and 248/sup 0/C and 0.92 MPa, during the first 20 hours on stream, both Fischer-Tropsch synthesis activity and CO consumption increased to quasi-steady-state values. The bulk catalyst, initially ..cap alpha..-Fe, was converted to a mixture of ..cap alpha..-Fe and iron carbides, as determined by Moessbauer spectroscopy. During the first few hours, methane selectivity decreased markedly while the olefin/paraffin ratio increased. No change was observed in the C/sub 2/-C/sub 8/ product distribution with time on stream. When an industrial iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst is first put on stream some 20 to 40 hours may elapse before its activity and selectivity approach steady-state conditions and during this time the phases present in the catalyst usually change markedly. The present study used a fused triply-promoted magnetite catalyst, sold for use in ammonia synthesis, which is very similar to one of the kinds of iron catalyst used industrially at SASOL in South Africa. It was completely reduced initially. Reaction was carried out in semi-continuous fashion in a well-stirred 1-litter autoclave. We were particularly concerned with studying the activity and selectivity of this catalyst as it approached steady-state behavior and determining if this correlated with the phases present in the catalyst as determined by Moessbauer spectroscopy. 20 refs., 9 figs., 1 tab.

Research Organization:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge (USA). Dept. of Chemical Engineering
DOE Contract Number:
AC22-85PC80015
OSTI ID:
5511259
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/80015-3; ON: DE86012294
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English