Methane suppression in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: Final report

Technical Report · Sun Jan 31 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5200659

Iyagba, E T; Nwalor, J U; Hoost, T E; Goodwin, Jr, J G

The objective of the project was to investigate the possiblity of modifying methane formation during the F-T synthesis independent from other hyfrocarbons by systematically changing catalyst characteristics. It would seem that the best way to decrease methane selectivity is still via the use of catalyst modifiers. Inorder to ''tailor-make'' catalyst surfaces which minimize ''extraneous'' methane synthesis without disrupting F-T synthesis, it is necessary for us to fully understand the mechanism(s) by which such modifiers operate. An investigation of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on K- and Cl-modified Ru Catalysts was carried out. The steady-steady reaction results illustrate how chlorine enhances the selectivity of methane formation while potassium decreases it. In order to better understand methane slectivity changes, a detailed study of Cl-modification of Ru catalysts was made. Amonnia synthesis and methanation reaction results on the same series of catalysts (obtained by using the steady-state isotopic transient technique) in addition to the deactivation results for F-T suggest that structural rearrangements induced by the presence of chlorine, rather than selective site blocking or electronic interactions, may be the primary mechanism of chlorine modification of supported ruthenium catalysts. The results of this study indicate that catalyst modifiers may act to change the catalytic properties by inducing certain metal surface structures. This is a mechanism of modification which has, yet, not been addressed in detail. 49 refs., 16 figs., 7 tabs.

• Research Organization: Pittsburgh Univ., PA (USA). Dept. of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
• DOE Contract Number: AC22-84PC70020
• OSTI ID: 5200659
• Report Number(s): DOE/PC/70020-T1; ON: DE88006658
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

090121* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Chemical Synthesis-- (1976-1989)
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
ALKALI METALS
ALKANES
AMMONIA
CARBON 12
CARBON 13
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON ISOTOPES
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CATALYSTS
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL PREPARATION
CHEMICAL REACTION YIELD
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISORPTION
CHLORINE
DEUTERIUM
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
FISCHER-TROPSCH SYNTHESIS
HALOGENS
HYDRIDES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
HYDROGENATION
INHIBITION
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
METALS
METHANATION
METHANE
MODIFICATIONS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
NONMETALS
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLATINUM METALS
POTASSIUM
PROGRESS REPORT
REACTION INTERMEDIATES
RUTHENIUM
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SORPTION
SPECIFICITY
STABLE ISOTOPES
SYNTHESIS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
YIELDS