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Title: Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over a ruthenium catalyst infrared and kinetic studies

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:6408940

Infrared and kinetic studies of the synthesis of hydrocarbons from carbon monoxide and hydrogen on a silica-supported ruthenium catalyst showed that the formation of ethane, propylene, and propane, the principal products obtained in addition to methane, was favored at high carbon monoxide partial pressures, low hydrogen/carbon monoxide ratios, and low temperatures. The IR spectra showed a band at 2030/cm associated with chemisorbed carbon monoxide and bands at 2950, 2910, and 2845/cm assigned to hydrocarbon structures surrounded by chemisorbed carbon monoxide. The data suggested that the first reaction stage involves the dissociation of carbon monoxide to produce surface carbon atoms. Addition of ethylene to the synthesis gas feed gave enhanced propylene yields, and the use of cyclohexene as a scavenger resulted in a series of alkylcyclohexene and alkylcyclohexane products. This suggests the presence of alkylidene groups on the catalyst surface. Initial methane formation rates were 1.5 order in hydrogen and -0.6 order in carbon monoxide, with an activation energy of 24 kcal/mole and a 740,000 preexponential factor.

OSTI ID:
6408940
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Thesis (Ph.D.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English