Intensified Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Process with Microchannel Catalytic Reactors

Journal Article · Sat Feb 28 04:00:00 EST 2009 · Catalysis Today, 140(3-4):149-156

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2008.10.016· OSTI ID:993665

Cao, Chunshe; Hu, Jianli; Li, Shari; Wilcox, Wayne A; Wang, Yong

A microchannel catalytic reactor with improved heat and mass transport has been used for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis to produce fuels and chemicals. This type of novel reactor takes advantages of highly active and selective catalysts with increased site density so that the FT synthesis process can be intensified. It was demonstrated that this microchannel reactor based process can be carried out at gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) as high as 60,000 hr-1 to achieve greater than 60% of one-pass CO conversion while maintaining low methane selectivity (<10%) and high chain growth probability(>0.9). Such superior FT synthesis performance has not ever been reported in the prior open literatures. The overall productivity to heavy hydrocarbons has been significantly improved over the conventional reactor technology. In this study, performance data were obtained in a wide range of pressure (10atm-35atm) and hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio (1-2.5). The catalytic system was characterized by BET, scanning electron microcopy (SEM), transmission electron microcopy(TEM), and H2 chemisorption. A three dimensional pseudo-homogeneous model were used to simulate temperature profiles in the exothermic reaction system in order to optimize the reactor design and intensify the synthesis process. Intraparticle non-isothermal characteristics are also analyzed for the FT synthesis catalyst.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 993665
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-47130; BM0101010
• Journal Information: Catalysis Today, 140(3-4):149-156, Journal Name: Catalysis Today, 140(3-4):149-156 Journal Issue: 3-4 Vol. 140; ISSN CATTEA; ISSN 0920-5861
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
03 NATURAL GAS
08 HYDROGEN
CARBON MONOXIDE
CATALYSTS
CHAINS
CHEMISORPTION
DESIGN
ELECTRONS
FISCHER-TROPSCH SYNTHESIS
Gas to Liquid
Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
Cobalt-Rhenium catalyst
Alumina support
microchannel reactor
particle size
temperature profiles.
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN
METHANE
PERFORMANCE
PRODUCTIVITY
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
SYNTHESIS
TRANSPORT
VELOCITY