Effect of microemulsion parameters on product selectivity of MgO-supported iron–cobalt–manganese–potassium nanocatalyst for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis using response surface methodology

Abstract

Abstract Microemulsion technique was used for the synthesis of Fe–Co–Mn–K/MgO catalysts in Fischer–Tropsch process. Physicochemical properties of the prepared nanocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, thermal gravimetric analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry and vibrating sample magnetometer. In this study, the effect of microemulsion variables (water to surfactant ratio, precursor concentration and calcination temperature) on (ethylene + propylene)/(methane + ethane + propane) ratio and C5+ selectivities were discussed. For evaluation of parameter effects, modeling and optimization of the product selectivities, response surface methodology combined with central composite design was applied. It was resulted that increase in precursor concentration and decrease in calcination temperature raises (ethylene + propylene)/(methane + ethane + propane) ratio and C5+ selectivities because of higher specific surface area. Maximum (ethylene + propylene)/ (methane + ethane + propane) ratio and C5+ selectivities were predicted and experimentally approved which demonstrated a satisfactory agreement.