Hydrothermal synthesis of Fe-Ni-Ce nano-structure catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: Characterization and catalytic performance

Abstract

A series of iron‒nickel‒cerium nanocatalysts were synthesized by the hydrothermal method in different metal molar ratios for the first time. These nanocatalysts were used in a fixed bed micro reactor for the Fischer‒Tropsch process and the catalytic activity and products selectivity were evaluated. The 60% Fe‒ 30% Ni– 10% Ce nanocatalyst was designated as optimal nanocatalyst due to the maximum yield of the light olefins. The catalytic performance of the optimum nanocatalyst was investigated in a wide range of the operating conditions such as temperature, H2/CO molar ratio, gas space velocity, and pressure. The obtained results indicate that the optimal operating conditions are the follows: T = 280 °C, H2/CO molar ratio = 1/1, GHSV = 1800 h−1, and P = 2 bar. The nanocatalysts were characterized by XRD, N2 physisorption, FE‒SEM, EDS, TGA, DSC, and TPR.