Cobalt Catalyzed Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis with O2-Containing Syngas

Abstract

Provision of sustainable transportation fuels is required for the energetic transition. A new process is presented for the production of synthetic sulfur free maritime fuel. This fuel is produced by Co-catalyzed Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) using syngas based on a plasma technology that contains traces of O2. Gravimetric experiments and steady state measurements with a Co/Pt/Al2O3 catalyst at low temperature FTS conditions (10–30 bar, 180–230 °C) show that, with H2 present in the system, the catalyst remains active for FTS, and shows no influence on the distribution of C2+-hydrocarbons. O2 is only converted to H2O and CO2 in varying proportions (H2O: 70–80%, CO2: 20–30%), whereby a higher CO concentration increases the CO2 selectivity. This work may wield a new CO2 source for carbon-neutral fuels.