Technological perspective for catalytic processes based on synthesis gas

Conference · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1981 · Catal. Rev. - Sci. Eng.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6299620

King, D L; Cusumano, J A; Garten, R L

There is a growing interest in the production and use of synthesis gas as a feedstock for the manufacture of fuels and chemicals. Most of the proposed routes are catalytic in nature, and are directed at overcoming the limitations of Fischer-Tropsch chemistry, especially selectivity. Over the past several years, research efforts have led to new selective routes to various fuel fractions; to petrochemical feedstocks including light olefins and various aromatics; to commodity chemicals such as ethylene glycol, ethanol, and acetic acid; and to a number of other fuels and chemicals. Although the chemistry and catalysis for many of these new routes look promising, there are still a number of technical challenges to be met before they are commercially viable. Innovations in both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis will play an important role in meeting these challenges. In this overview, some of the key technical problems of synthesis-gas chemistry are reviewed, and a perspective is provided for the directions of synthesis-gas technology over the next decade. The following subjects are discussed: motivation for research in synthesis gas chemistry; synthesis gas as a feedstock; limitations on technical technologies; the nature of the selectivity problem; and approaches to circumvent the selectivity limitations in CO/H/sub 2/ reactions-i.e. limitation of chain growth by pore size, interception of intermediates during synthesis, chemical modifications of catalysts, and development of catalysts.

• Research Organization: Catalytica Associates, Inc., Santa Clara, CA
• OSTI ID: 6299620
• Report Number(s): CONF-800779-
• Journal Information: Catal. Rev. - Sci. Eng.; (United States), Vol. 23:1 and 2; Conference: 1. Berkeley catalysis and surface science conference, Berkeley, CA, USA, 16 Jul 1980
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
FISCHER-TROPSCH SYNTHESIS
REVIEWS
SYNTHESIS GAS
METHANATION
CARBON MONOXIDE
CATALYSTS
HYDROGEN
OPTIMIZATION
POROSITY
REACTION INTERMEDIATES
SPECIFICITY
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
NONMETALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
090122* - Hydrocarbon Fuels- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass- (1976-1989)
010500 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Products & By-Products