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Title: Carbon deposition and activity changes over FeRu alloys during Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

Journal Article · · J. Catal.; (United States)

The interaction of 3H/sub 2//CO at 1 atm and 573 to 673/sup 0/K with unsupported Ru, Fe, and RuFe alloy powders was investigated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), and differential chemical kinetics. Direct surface analysis of fresh, reacted, and regenerated surfaces, without exposure to air, shows a strong dependence of carbon deposition on catalyst composition. Pure Ru and Ru doped with 3 atom% Fe show no carbon buildup, and therefore exhibit steady specific activity and selectivity in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis as a function of time on stream. Increasing the iron content of the alloys results in a thick carbon overlayer being deposited during the first few hours of reaction. The carbon overlayer reduces specific activity by a factor of 2 to 3 and shifts selectivity toward lower-molecular-weight products. Regeneration of these catalysts requires heating in H/sub 2/ at 683/sup 0/K. Both XPS and SIMS confirm that pure iron first incorporates carbon into the bulk with a resulting temporary increase in activity and selectivity to saturated products. Selectivity then shifts to lighter products as carbon gradually builds up on the iron carbide surface.

Research Organization:
Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN
OSTI ID:
6580746
Journal Information:
J. Catal.; (United States), Vol. 65:2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English