Abstract
Some iron-alumina catalysts exhibit significant selectivity in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis towards low molecular weight hydrocarbons, methane and light olefins. We have investigated the mode of formation of these hydrocarbons. Reactions on fresh or on carbon-predeposited catalysts and CO adsorption-thermodesorption experiments showed that CO dissociative adsorption is an essential step in hydrocarbon synthesis. Experiments with ethylene added to (CO + H 2) reagents showd that the olefin significantly enhanced both the formation of methane and C 3-C 4 hydrocarbons, and the hydrogenation to ethane. These results suggest the possibility of chain growth via a carbene-olefin mechanism.
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