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Transition metal-graphite catalysts for production of light hydrocarbons from synthesis gas. Quarterly report, November 1, 1976--January 31, 1977. [Commercially available iron-graphites prepared by reduction with metal aryls]

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7106076· OSTI ID:7106076

Sodium- and potassium-graphites, although possessing high initial activities for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, do not behave catalytically for this reaction. A large fraction of carbon monoxide reactant becomes unreactively adsorbed on these materials, probably via formation of stable carbonyl-type structures, and inhibits the overall reaction rate. Furthermore, a permanent and irrecoverable loss of activity occurs after only brief usage due to alkali metal destruction by water formed during the reaction. With only minor variations, the behavior of potassium-reduced iron-graphite is similar to that of pure potassium-graphite. Removal of potassium-containing by-products prior to use considerably lowers the initial activity, but does not prevent the eventual, permanent activity loss. On the other hand, commercially-available iron-graphites, prepared by reduction with metal aryls, appear to be very promising as Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. Gas phase carbon mass balances observed for these substances are uniformly high; carbon dioxide production is relatively low, and no apparent loss of activity occurs after extended use. Hydrocarbon product distributions are very reproducible and are largely confined, at 300/sup 0/C, to C/sub 1/--C/sub 3/ paraffins and olefins. The absolute activities of these materials for hydrocarbon production may be six to seven times that of conventional supported iron catalysts.

Research Organization:
Texas A and M Univ., College Station (USA). Dept. of Chemistry
OSTI ID:
7106076
Report Number(s):
FE-2467-2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English