Abstract
Light olefins as one the most important building blocks in chemical industry can be produced via Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) from syngas. FT synthesis conducted at high temperature would lead to light paraffins, carbon dioxide, methane, and C5+ longer chain hydrocarbons. The present work focuses on providing a critical review on the light olefin production using Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. The effects of metals, promoters and supports as the most influential parameters on the catalytic performance of catalysts are discussed meticulously. Fe and Co as the main active metals in FT catalysts are investigated in terms of pore size, crystal size, and crystal phase for obtaining desirable light olefin selectivity. Larger pore size of Fe-based catalysts is suggested to increase olefin selectivity via suppressing 1-olefin readsorption and secondary reactions. Iron carbide as the most probable phase of Fe-based catalysts is proposed for light olefin generation via FTS. Smaller crystal size of Co active metal leads to higher olefin selectivity. Hexagonal close-packed (HCP) structure of Co has higher FTS activity than face-centered cubic (FCC) structure. Transition from Co to Co3C is mainly proposed for formation of light olefins over Co-based catalysts. Moreover, various catalysts’ deactivation routes are reviewed. Additionally, techno-economic assessment of FTS plants in terms of different costs including capital expenditure and minimum fuel selling price are presented based on the most recent literature. Finally, the potential for global environmental impacts associated with FTS plants including atmospheric and toxicological impacts is considered via lifecycle assessment (LCA).
Highlights
Olefins including ethylene, propylene, and butylene are considered the most widely used petrochemical feedstocks used as chemical intermediates for production of solvents, polymers, plastics, fibers, and detergents
Production of light olefins through Fischer–Tropsch synthesis using syngas as feedstock is an issue of great importance
Development of catalytic systems in terms of activity, selectivity, and stability is required to consider it feasible that light olefins can be produced on an industrial scale via Fischer–Tropsch to Olefins (FTO)
Summary
Propylene, and butylene are considered the most widely used petrochemical feedstocks used as chemical intermediates for production of solvents, polymers, plastics, fibers, and detergents. The ethylene production in Canada is based on ethane as a feed through steam cracking at high temperatures. As olefin production depends on oil fractions and steam cracking, the increasing demand for light olefins can cause strain on crude oil Reactions 2021, 2, 227–257. 2 228 steam cracking, the increasing demand for light olefins can cause strain on crude oil rerseosouurcrecses[3[3].].TThheennoonn-o-oililrroouutteessffoorroolleeffiinn pprroodduuccttiioonn ccaann bbee ccaatteeggoorriizzeedd iinnffoouurrggrroouuppss,, nnaammeelylymmetehtahnaonlotlo toolefiolnef(iMnT(OM),TeOth),aneothl atonoollefiton (oEleTfOin), (dEimTOet)h, ydliemtheetrhytol oeltehfienr (DtoMoTleOfi)n, a(nDdMthTeOF),isacnhdert–hTeroFpisscchhesr–yTnrthoepssicsh(FsyTnSt)h, weshisic(hFTwSa)s, wdehvicehlowpeads dinev1e9l2o2p[e4d].in 1922 [4]. Addition of promoting agents to catalysts significantly increases the activity and selectivity of catalysts toward a specific range of products, e.g., light olefins. Dispersion, active metals, and promoters as well as support interaction can influence the selectivity of FTS toward light olefins. Biloen et al [13] asserted that whenever a molecule contacts the catalyst surface, the reactants react due to the chemistry and geometry of the catalyst’s active sites
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