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Title: Attrition of precipitated iron Fischer-Tropsch catalysts

Conference ·
OSTI ID:549576
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Precipitated Iron catalysts used in slurry phase bubble column reactors are known to undergo attrition during use. The attrition reduces the lifetime of the catalyst as well as causing problems in separating the product liquids from the catalyst. In this study, the authors have investigated the underlying mechanisms that lead to attrition in precipitated iron catalysts. They have discovered that attrition takes place on two length scales. On the macro scale, attrition is caused by the break-up of the weak agglomerates that constitute this catalyst into individual crystallites. Addition of binders such as kaolin does not help significantly in strengthening the catalyst particles. In addition, there is a second process leading to nanoscale attrition that is caused by the break-up of individual iron oxide crystallites into nano particles of iron carbide as the catalyst is activated for reaction. Design of attrition resistant F-T catalysts must consider these two modes of catalyst attrition. Preliminary work in the laboratory directed at improving the attrition resistance of precipitated iron catalysts will also be described in this paper.

OSTI ID:
549576
Report Number(s):
CONF-960954-; TRN: IM9751%%259
Resource Relation:
Conference: 13. annual international Pittsburgh coal conference, Pittsburgh, PA (United States), 3-7 Sep 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of Thirteenth annual international Pittsburgh coal conference: Proceedings. Volume 2; Chiang, S.H. [ed.]; PB: 819 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English