Abstract
Abstract The effect of metal particle sizes on Fischer-Tropsch synthesis was studied over supported ruthenium catalysts with well defined metal particle sizes. Reverse micelle solutions of ruthenium were used to prepare catalysts with different size ruthenium particles at specified metal loading levels. Impregnation with conventional salt solutions and ion exchange techniques were also utilized. The catalysts were characterized by STEM, EXAFS, and gas adsorption techniques, before and after reaction. The smallest ruthenium metal particles agglomerated on alumina during the reaction. Particles larger than 4 nm were stable on alumina. The extent of ruthenium metal agglomeration also was affected by the support material. Larger ruthenium particles on alumina gave higher turnover frequencies for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Well dispersed alumina-supported ruthenium showed water gas shift activity while larger ruthenium particles did not. The ratio of olefinic to paraffinic products and the chain growth probability increased with an increase in metal particle size for alumina-supported ruthenium catalysts. The product distributions with, all catalysts tested obeyed the Anderson-Schulz-Flory distribution up to a carbon number of 150, irrespective of ruthenium metal particle size.
Published Version
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