Pyrolysis of Rice husk, Coconut shell, and Cladophora glomerata algae and application of the produced biochars as support for cobalt catalyst in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

Abstract

The performance of bio chars prepared from Rice husk, Coconut shell, and Cladophora glomerata algae as Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) cobalt catalyst support is investigated. The biochars are synthesized through the pyrolysis process. The three substrates were activated precisely at a specific temperature and time. 15 wt% cobalt catalysts were prepared by impregnation method. The physicochemical properties of catalysts were assessed using different techniques. The activity and selectivity of catalysts were studied in a fixed bed micro reactor at 220 °C, H2/CO ratio of 2, feed flow rate of 60 mL/min, 2 MP pressure and 14–16 h reduction on 400 °C. The catalytic performance of biochars supported cobalt catalysts was evaluated and compared with a γ-Alumina supported industrial catalyst. The modified algae biochar supported cobalt catalyst showed the highest FTS rate of 0.345 g HC/(g cat. h) and 67% CO conversion. While, C5+ liquid hydrocarbons selectivity showed a slight decrease.