443
3.2 Catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch Studies
The four metals of group 8—ruthenium, iron, cobalt and nickel—possess high
activities for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and are best known catalysts in the industry
and research [36]. The use of these transition metals as catalysts for FT synthesis is
widely reported in the literature. The activity for ruthenium for carbon monoxide
hydrogenation is much higher when compared to the other three metals; due to very
high cost, it has limited industrial applications [3]. However, many research studies
on both lab-scale and pilot-scale were performed using Ru as a promoter with ab
iron- or cobalt-based catalyst for FT synthesis [37–39]. On the other hand, nickel
being the more active catalyst for CO hydrogenation favors the formation of methane, i.e., methanation reaction, thereby lacking selectivity toward higher hydrocarbons [40, 41]. In addition, nickel carbonyls are volatile and lead to quick deactivation
of the catalyst over the range of FT operating conditions [40]. Thus, cobalt and iron
are the best suitable industrial catalysts for FT synthesis and are adopted globally by
some of the commercial FT plants. For example, Sasol, a South African based FT
plant, uses iron as a catalyst in three of their commercial plants, whereas a Shellbased FT plant in Malaysia produces 12,000 barrels per day using a cobalt catalyst
for the hydrocarbon production [42].
Iron- and cobalt-based catalysts are the target for the catalyst design over the
times to obtain more selectivity toward the desired products [43]. The optimum
performance for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is obtained by tailoring chemical,
mechanical, and physical properties of catalysts during design and synthesis. The
optimization of these properties enhances the catalyst performance in terms of
activity, stability, and selectivity toward the desired hydrocarbons. The factors like
Fig. 9 LabVIEW automated experimental setup showing all the devices on the optical table for
FT synthesis in microreactor [24]
Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis in Silicon and 3D Printed Stainless Steel Microchannel…
3.2 Catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch Studies
The four metals of group 8—ruthenium, iron, cobalt and nickel—possess high
activities for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and are best known catalysts in the industry
and research [36]. The use of these transition metals as catalysts for FT synthesis is
widely reported in the literature. The activity for ruthenium for carbon monoxide
hydrogenation is much higher when compared to the other three metals; due to very
high cost, it has limited industrial applications [3]. However, many research studies
on both lab-scale and pilot-scale were performed using Ru as a promoter with ab
iron- or cobalt-based catalyst for FT synthesis [37–39]. On the other hand, nickel
being the more active catalyst for CO hydrogenation favors the formation of methane, i.e., methanation reaction, thereby lacking selectivity toward higher hydrocarbons [40, 41]. In addition, nickel carbonyls are volatile and lead to quick deactivation
of the catalyst over the range of FT operating conditions [40]. Thus, cobalt and iron
are the best suitable industrial catalysts for FT synthesis and are adopted globally by
some of the commercial FT plants. For example, Sasol, a South African based FT
plant, uses iron as a catalyst in three of their commercial plants, whereas a Shellbased FT plant in Malaysia produces 12,000 barrels per day using a cobalt catalyst
for the hydrocarbon production [42].
Iron- and cobalt-based catalysts are the target for the catalyst design over the
times to obtain more selectivity toward the desired products [43]. The optimum
performance for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is obtained by tailoring chemical,
mechanical, and physical properties of catalysts during design and synthesis. The
optimization of these properties enhances the catalyst performance in terms of
activity, stability, and selectivity toward the desired hydrocarbons. The factors like
Fig. 9 LabVIEW automated experimental setup showing all the devices on the optical table for
FT synthesis in microreactor [24]
Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis in Silicon and 3D Printed Stainless Steel Microchannel…