A novel approach for the assessment of the rate limiting step in the Fischer-Tropsch slurry process

Journal Article · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Preprints of Papers, American Chemical Society, Division of Fuel Chemistry

OSTI ID:433273

Inga, J R; Morsi, B I ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA (United States)

The rate limiting step in the Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) slurry process was assessed using a simple computer model. This model, unlike others, takes into account the water gas shift (WGS) reaction in the calculation of the importance of the gas-liquid mass transfer and makes use of the {open_quotes}Singular Kinetic Path{close_quotes} concept proposed by Espinoza in 1993. The predictions from the model showed that for the available catalysts the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis could be considered a kinetically-controlled process. CO has mass transfer coefficients lower than H{sub 2}, is consumed by both F-T and WGS reactions, and is likely to be the limiting reactant in the process. The reactor performance could be improved by increasing the catalyst activity and operating in the mass-controlled regime. Also, an increase of the catalyst concentration up to a maximum of 37 - 40 wt.% could improve the reactor performance, although the reactor would be operating in a mass transfer-controlled regime due to the relatively high catalyst concentration.

• OSTI ID: 433273
• Report Number(s): CONF-950402--
• Journal Information: Preprints of Papers, American Chemical Society, Division of Fuel Chemistry, Journal Name: Preprints of Papers, American Chemical Society, Division of Fuel Chemistry Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 40; ISSN ACFPAI; ISSN 0569-3772
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
CARBON MONOXIDE
CATALYSTS
CHEMICAL REACTORS
FISCHER-TROPSCH SYNTHESIS
MASS TRANSFER
PERFORMANCE
SHIFT PROCESSES