Parametric Study and Multiobjective Optimization of Fixed-Bed Fischer–Tropsch (FT) Reactor: The Improvement of FT Synthesis Product Formation and Synthetic Conversion

Abstract

A mathematical model of a fixed-bed reactor for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) over 37% Co/SiO2 catalyst was developed to investigate the performance of the whole process for products’ selectivity and syngas conversion. The model was capable of calculating the changes of reactant and products’ concentrations, partial pressures, conversion, and selectivity. In a previous study, a series of combined novel FT and water gas shift (WGS) reaction mechanisms (eight elementary FT reaction pathways along with seven WGS kinetics models) were developed in order to calibrate and validate the mathematical model along with reaction kinetics at different experimental conditions. Such mathematical models with reaction networks can be used as a key tool to emphasize the most significant facts of FTS catalysis and chemistry. Integration of the global search optimization algorithm with the developed model was explained for estimation of kinetics parameters. Data analyses were carried out to ensure that the predicted model ...