Improved Fischer-Tropsch catalysts for indirect coal liquefaction

Technical Report · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5500899· OSTI ID:5500899

Wilson, Jr, R B; Tong, G T; Chan, Y W; Huang, H W; McCarty, J G

The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS)reaction is the established technology for the production of liquid fuels from coal by an indirect route using coal-derived syngas (CO + H{sub 2}). Modern FTS catalysts are potassium- and copper-promoted iron preparations. These catalysts exhibit moderate activity with carbon monoxide-rich feedstocks such as the syngas produced by advanced coal gasification processes. However, the relatively large yields of by-product methane and high-molecular-weight hydrocarbon waxes detract from the production of desired liquid products in the C{sub 5}-C{sub 16} range needed for motor and aviation fuel. The goal of this program is to decrease undesirable portions of the FTS hydrocarbon yield by altering the Schultz-Flory polymerization product distribution through design and formulation of improved catalysts. Two approaches were taken: (1) reducing the yield of high-molecular-weight hydrocarbon waxes by using highly dispersed catalysts produced from surface-confined multiatomic clusters on acid supports and (2) suppressing methane production by uniformly pretreating active, selective conventional FTS catalysts with submonolayer levels of sulfur.

• Research Organization: SRI International, Menlo Park, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC22-85PC80016
• OSTI ID: 5500899
• Report Number(s): DOE/PC/80016-T10; ON: DE92010947
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010408* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- C1 Processes-- (1987-)
ALKANES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CATALYST SUPPORTS
CATALYSTS
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISORPTION
COAL
COBALT
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FISCHER-TROPSCH SYNTHESIS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HYDROCARBONS
IRON
MATERIALS
METALS
METHANE
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLATINUM METALS
POLYMERS
PROGRESS REPORT
RUTHENIUM
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SORPTION
SULFUR
SYNTHESIS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS