Manganese-oxide-supported iron Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts: Physical and catalytic characterization

Abstract

It has been claimed that catalysts containing iron and manganese are especially selective for production of low molecular weight olefins in the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. In this study a new system, manganese-oxide-supported iron, Fe MnO , was prepared, subjected to various calcination and reduction treatments, and then employed as a FT catalyst. Reaction studies were run with approximately 1 1 : CO H 2 feed at 515 and 540 K and 7.8 and 14.8 bar pressure. Although low conversions were employed, the synthesis rate decreased strongly with increasing conversion. Compared to conventional Fe catalysts, the Fe MnO was more active for water-gas shift and less selective for methane and alcohols, especially at higher conversions, lower temperature, and higher pressure. Olefin selectivity was high, hydrogen chemisorption was depressed, and secondary hydrogenation was not apparent. In general it is concluded that the manganese-supported iron does promote FT selectivity for low molecular weight olefins, but at the expense of high CO 2 formation.