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Study of the carburization of an iron catalyst during the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: influence on its catalytic activity

Journal Article · · J. Catal.; (United States)

The fast transformation of an ironalumina catalyst into Fe/sub 2+x/C during the H/sub 2/ + CO reaction was followed by in situ Moessbauer spectroscopy at 523 K and the behavior was compared with changes in catalytic activity for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. After a few hours of synthesis, no metallic iron could be detected by either Moessbauer or IR spectroscopy, whereas the CO conversion was still half of that observed initially. The nature of the sites responsible for the remaining activity is discussed. The interpretation of the Moessbauer spectra has permitted the determination of the stoichiometry of the Fe/sub 2+x/C carbide (0 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 0.4), and hence the following of the change of x during the reaction. Thus, the activity in CO hydrogenation could be related to the number of carbon vacancies in the iron carbide, i.e., to the extent of the metallic character of this carbide. This concept of the variation of hydrogenating properties of the carbide with the carbon content has been supported by similar catalytic results obtained in the room temperature hydrogenation of ethylene performed on carbides of different stoichiometry

Research Organization:
l'Universite Claude Bernard Lyon I, Villeurbanne (France)
OSTI ID:
5330370
Journal Information:
J. Catal.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Catal.; (United States) Vol. 107:1; ISSN JCTLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English