Cobalt as an alternative Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to iron for the production of middle distillates

Publisher Summary Cobalt based catalysts may be considered as an alternative to iron based Fischer–Tropsch catalysts for the production of middle distillates utilizing a syngas with a H 2 /CO ratio of 2. This chapter presents the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis in a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) with a reactor volume of 670ml. The pre-reduced catalyst was suspended in a 300ml molten Arge wax. The syngas flows were controlled by Brooks mass flow meters along with the ampoule-sampling-technique developed by Schulz. An investigation into the intrinsic kinetics of the iron catalyst revealed that the cobalt catalyst did not show any significant water-gas-shift activity and no water inhibition of the Fisher–Tropsch reaction rate. The strong advantage of the cobalt option is to be found in the application where high per pass syngas conversion levels are desired. If a comparable net conversion is to be achieved with iron, it will require gas recycle to knock out water, implying added compression costs.