Maximizing paraffin to olefin ratio employing simulated nitrogen-rich syngas via Fischer-Tropsch process over Co3O4/SiO2 catalysts

Hamid Mahmoudi, Hessam Jahangiri, Omid Doustdar, Nazanin Akbari, Joe Wood, Athanasios Tsolakis, Miroslaw Lech Wyszynski*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)
38 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The optimization of cobalt oxide (Co3O4) loading on silica for the low-temperature Fischer-Tropsch (LTFT) synthesis process employing simulated nitrogen-rich syngas (50 vol%) to produce highly paraffinic biodiesel is studied. Four different amounts of Co3O4 varying from 15 to 36 wt% were loaded on silica in order to examine the catalytic performance of Co/SiO2 catalysts. The supported catalysts were characterized using XRF, nitrogen physisorption, XRD, TPR, DRIFT and SEM fixed with EDS analysis. The performances of the catalysts were examined in a single channel fixed bed reactor employing simulated nitrogen-rich syngas (CO:H2:N2 = 17:33:50 vol%). The reactor was operated at P = 20 bar, T = 237 °C and WHSV = 3.0 Nl/h.gcat. The active site concentration was maximized by (i) utilizing all the available surface area of the sphere's porous support, (ii) using ethanolic impregnation solution to hinder sintering of Co3O4 phases due to presence of ethoxyl groups, and (iii) connecting oxide crystallites to the neighbouring pores by increasing the active metal content. As a result, the production of heavy hydrocarbons per unit of time was maximized with 36 wt% cobalt loading on silica (CO conversion and C5+ selectivity were 87.65 and 81.78 mol%, respectively, and also paraffin: olefin ratio was 98:2).

Original languageEnglish
Article number106477
JournalFuel Processing Technology
Volume208
Early online date14 Jul 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2020

Bibliographical note

Funding Information: The support of Fuji Silysia Chemical Ltd. is highly appreciated and acknowledged by the author for providing qualified catalyst support. Moreover, the author would like to acknowledge Dr. Jackie Deans, Mr. John Wedderburn, Mr. Jeff Sutton, Mrs. Theresa Morris and Mr. Paul Stanley for their technical support at the University of Birmingham.

Keywords

  • Biodiesel
  • Cobalt catalyst
  • Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
  • Paraffin
  • Silica support

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemical Engineering(all)
  • Fuel Technology
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology

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