FISCHER-TROPSCH SYNTHESIS IN A STIRRED-TANK SLURRY REACTOR

Three precipitated iron catalysts were evaluated in a stirred tank slu rry reactor to determine their performance during Fischer-Tropsch synt hesis under steady-state conditions. High syngas conversions (>80%) we re achieved in all three tests, and the catalyst deactivation rates we re moderate (1.3-2.1% per day), Selectivities of all three catalysts w ere fairly stable with time (up to 560 h of continuous testing). Metha ne selectivity (2.1-3.7 wt% of total hydrocarbons) and gaseous hydroca rbon (C-2-C-4) selectivity (9-15 wt%) were very low, whereas the selec tivity of C-5(+) hydrocarbons was high. Methane and gaseous hydrocarbo n selectivities obtained in these tests are comparable to those obtain ed in the two most successful slurry bubble column reactor tests. The activity of one of these three catalysts (100 Fe/5 Cu/6 K/24 SiO2, in parts per weight) was higher than that of any other known iron Fischer -Tropsch catalyst developed for slurry phase operation.