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CO + H/sub 2/ reaction over nitrogen-modified iron catalysts. Quarterly technical progress report, January 1-March 31, 1984

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6764491· OSTI ID:6764491

We have found that the nitride catalysts lose substantial amounts of nitrogen during the initial minutes of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. In order to further study the stability of these catalysts, we have concentrated on the decomposition of the nitride in hydrogen. In addition, we have prepared a range of epsilon-Fe/sub x/N (2 < x < 3) phases. The Moessbauer parameters from these phases will aid in the identification and fitting of the transient epsilon phases formed during the carburization of Xi-Fe/sub 2/N. Extremely rapid nitrogen loss has been observed from Xi-Fe/sub 2/N in H/sub 2/ at 523 K both in constant velocity Moessbauer and in transient mass spectrometer experiments. In order to study the phase change from Xi-Fe/sub 2/N to ..cap alpha..-Fe in more detail, the hydrogenation temperature was decreased to 473 K and intermediate samples were quenched in liquid nitrogen to lock in the phase distribution for subsequent Moessbauer study. The spectra show complete conversion to ..cap alpha..-Fe at or before 21 minutes at 473 K. The intermediate samples show evidence of an extremely sharp gradient; only a very small amount of ..gamma..' or epsilon phase is observed. Thus, a moving front model of the phase transformation appears to be appropriate. Mass spectroscopy of the hydrogenation of Xi-Fe/sub 2/N at 523 K showed similar behavior to that of both the ..gamma..' and epsilon phases, in which an active surface species and a slowly activating one were observed. The H/sub 2/ was replaced by D/sub 2/ in this experiment in order to observe partially hydrogenated surface species in the initial spike of ammonia. All NH/sub x/D/sub y/ (x + y = 3) species were observed in this spike, indicating extremely rapid surface H/D exchange with gaseous ammonia. The fragmentation pattern of NH/sub 3/ in the mass spectrometer was also determined and will be used to calculate initial NH/sub x/ surface contributions. 23 references, 3 figures, 3 tables.

Research Organization:
Purdue Univ., Lafayette, IN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-82PC50804
OSTI ID:
6764491
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/50804-6; ON: DE84014466
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English