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Effect of potassium and copper promoters on reduction behavior of precipitated iron catalysts

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:7035207

Precipitated Fe catalysts were characterized using temperature-programmed methods, isothermal reduction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to study the influence of Cu and K promoters on reduction behavior and catalytic properties for Co hydrogenation. TPR results showed that of Fe increased with increasing Cu content up to {approximately}3 wt% Cu. The time required for Fe reduction at 300 C in either H{sub 2} or CO decreased with increasing Cu content. The presence of K influenced the reducibility of the precipitated Fe catalysts both with and without Cu. A possible blockage of nucleation sites by K may inhibit the reduction of Fe in H{sub 2}. However, the time required for Fe reduction in CO decreased in the presence of K. The inhibition effect of SiO{sub 2} and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} supports on the reduction of Fe increased with increasing support content. XPS results showed differences in the surface composition of catalysts. The surfaces of H{sub 2}-reduced samples were largely covered by a layer of iron oxide; however, the surfaces of the CO-reduced samples possessed zero-valent iron. A marked enrichment of K was found on the surface of H{sub 2}-reduced samples compared to those of CO-reduced samples. No significant change in catalytic selectivity for CO hydrogenation at 250 C was observed in the presence of Cu promoter. However, significant increases in olefin/paraffin ratios and hydrocarbon product chain lengths were observed for the K-promoted Fe catalysts in the CO hydrogenation results. Lower percentages of methane formation and higher hydrocarbon chain lengths were observed for H{sub 2}-reduced Fe catalysts compared to those observed for CO-reduced catalysts.

Research Organization:
Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX (USA)
OSTI ID:
7035207
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English