The Fischer-Tropsch and Related Processes for Synthesis of Hydrocarbons by Hydrogenation of Carbon Monoxide

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the development of the Ruhrchemie process, development of Fischer–Tropsch process other than the Ruhrchemie process, processes related to the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis, carbide formation and carbon deposition on iron catalysts, and kinetics and reaction mechanisms in the Fischcr–Tropsch synthesis. At the Krupp Fischer–Tropsch plant at Wanne–Eickel, there is a large commercial installation of the Krupp–Lurgi process for manufacture of low-temperature coke. Most of this coke is gasified in blue-water-gas machines and yields hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio of 1.35, which is closer to the desired ratio for synthesis than is obtained from high-temperature coke. Fischer's hypothesis concerning the mechanism of the synthesis postulated the intermediary formation of cobalt or iron carbide and reduction of the carbide to methylene (CH 2 ) groups. The latter would subsequently polymerize to yield unsaturated paraffin hydrocarbons. Although, direct hydrogenation of preformed cobalt or iron carbide yields largely methane, with only minor amounts of other hydrocarbons, the hypothesis of Fischer could be correct because of the selective poisoning action of carbon monoxide and of the products of the synthesis in retarding the methane forming reaction.