Effects of Cu and K Promoters on the Catalytic Performance of Iron-Based Nanocatalyst for Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

Abstract:

Iron-based nanocatalyst was prepared via impregnation method on SiO₂ support. The effects of promoters, namely, K and Cu, on the physical properties and catalytic performance in FTS have been investigated. The FTS performance of the synthesized nanocatalysts was examined in a fixed-bed microreactor at temperature of 523K, atmospheric pressure, 1.5 reactant ratio (H₂/CO) and space velocity of 3L/g-cat.h. In FTS reaction, Cu promoter resulted in a lower CO conversion and C₅₊ hydrocarbons selectivity but higher selectivity to the lighter hydrocarbons (C₁-C₄) compared to those obtained using the K promoter. Higher CO conversion (28.9%) and C₅₊ hydrocarbons selectivity (54.4%) were obtained using K as a promoter compared to that of Cu promoter. However, the K-promoted nanocatalyst resulted in a lower CO conversion but higher selectivity of the heavy hydrocarbons (C₅₊) compared to those obtained using the un-promoted nanocatalyst.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 832)
• Pages: 15-20
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.832.15
• Online since: November 2013
• Authors: Sara Faiz Hanna Tasfy, Noor Asmawati Mohd Zabidi, Duvvuri Subbarao
• Keywords: Copper Promoter, Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis, Iron-Based Nanocatalyst, Potassium Promoter

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