Improved Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts for indirect coal liquefaction: Quarterly technical progress report No. 6 for the period 1 January to 31 March 1987

Technical Report · Tue Jun 09 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6448931

Tong, G T; Wilson, R B; McCarty, J G

Six surface-confined ruthenium cluster catalysts supported on alumina, sodium-Y zeolite, and molecular-sieve supports were tested for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) activity and for methane and olefin-to-paraffin selectivity for syn gas with H/sub 2//CO = 1.0 at 100 kPa and 523 K. The tetraruthenium cluster catalyst supported on alumina had the highest FTS activity with a methane selectivity of 61%. The hexaruthenium cluster catalyst supported on sodium-Y zeolite had the lowest methane selectivity (36%) and the highest olefin selectivity (ethylene/ethane > 20). The Schulz-Flory product distribution and chain growth factors for all ruthenium cluster catalysts through C/sub 8/ were nearly independent of support type and cluster size. An unpromoted FTS cobalt catalyst supported on alumina was prepared to evaluate the effect of sulfur treatment on the methane selectivity and olefin-to-paraffin ratio of light hydrocarbons. A low-level sulfur-treated fused iron catalyst (20% monolayer sulfur coverage) was prepared and tested for FTS activity ad selectivity for syn gas with H/sub 2//CO = 1.0 at 100 kPa and 573 K. This sulfur-treated catalyst showed almost a twofold reduction in methane yield compared with the clean fused iron catalyst. The sulfur-treated catalyst also demonstrated good stability, showing no sign of deactivation throughout a 24-h synthesis run. Final FTS testing with sulfur-treated cobalt and the remaining ruthenium monomer catalysts will complete the screening phase of this project. 5 figs., 2 tabs.

• Research Organization: SRI International, Menlo Park, CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC22-85PC80016
• OSTI ID: 6448931
• Report Number(s): DOE/PC/80016-T4; ON: DE87012047
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

090121* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Chemical Synthesis-- (1976-1989)
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
CATALYST SUPPORTS
CATALYSTS
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CHEMICAL PREPARATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELEMENTS
FISCHER-TROPSCH SYNTHESIS
IRON
METALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PLATINUM METALS
RUTHENIUM
SPECIFICITY
SYNTHESIS
TESTING
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WAXES