97/03341 Fischer-Tropsch synthesis for clean transportation fuels

Abstract

The products from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and the rates of conversion of the reactants (H{sub 2} and CO) have been determined for a range of flow rates. Based upon conversion rates, an iron catalyst should be utilized at lower CO conversion levels. The fraction of CO converted to hydrocarbons decreases with increasing CO conversion. Thus, it is suggested that a F-T process employing recycle or multiple reactors is more appropriate for an iron catalyst than operating a single reactor at high (> 95%) CO conversion levels. The data indicate that an iron catalyst is preferred over a cobalt catalyst for some process conditions (e.g., high space velocity, high total pressure).