Large scale production of high value hydrocarbons using Fischer-Tropsch technology

Abstract

This chapter provides some insights on how the different Fischer–Tropsch technologies can be used to produce mainstream bulk chemical products. For the production of light olefins, the high temperature Fischer–Tropsch (HTFT) process offers many advantages. Using HTFT technology (with optimized catalysts) for the production of light olefins the amount of olefin product can be further enhanced by cracking unwanted longer chain molecules to higher value shorter chain molecules. An overall mass selectivity of 15–30% towards propylene is viable via such a two step approach. Besides the higher olefin content, the low temperature Fischer–Tropsch (LTFT) promoted iron catalyst also has a higher wax yield than cobalt catalysts. As a result of these two differences, the LTFT iron catalyst may offer advantages for the production of various chemicals. A key disadvantage associated with the LTFT iron catalyst use is that it is expensive to reach high syngas conversions. However, for conversions up to about 50% the capital cost expressed per unit product is similar to that for cobalt catalysts.