Fischer–Tropsch synthesis on cobalt-based catalysts with different thermally conductive additives

Abstract

The effect of thermally conductive additive (Al, Cu or Zn metal powder) introduction to cobalt-based catalyst was investigated by testing in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS). Aluminum is the most promising metal for heat transfer intensification in catalytic bed since it forms an effective thermally conductive lattice, which improves the catalyst performance significantly. The introduction of copper or zinc to the catalyst composition does not result in heat transfer lattice formation; moreover, these metals demonstrate their own catalytic activity under FTS conditions. It is shown that catalyst pore volume is important: a substantial decrease in pore volume leads to formation of heat and mass transfer limitations in the catalyst pellet, which results in productivity and selectivity drop. The FTS product (C5+ hydrocarbons) composition depends on a metal used as a thermally conductive component and its catalytic activity.