Impact of promoter on the cobalt based Fischer–Tropsch synthesis: a comprehensive kinetic study

• Published in: Reaction kinetics, mechanisms and catalysis mechanisms and catalysis, 2020-06, Vol.130 (1), p.117-140
• Main Authors: Mousavi, Shabbir, Zamani, Yahya, Ebrahimi, Hadi, Zamaniyan, Akbar, Forsat, Khaled
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Physical Chemistry
• ISSN: 1878-5190; 1878-5204
• DOI: 10.1007/s11144-020-01758-z

A comprehensive kinetic model for cobalt based Fischer–Tropsch synthesis products was developed based on the recently proposed generalized mechanism for monomer formation. The model was evaluated with recent kinetic data from the literature (Co–Re/Al 2 O 3 ) as well as newly obtained experimental data (Co–Zr/Al 2 O 3 ). The model results were in good agreement with experimental data. Also estimated model parameters were statistically and physically significant. The model can predict the effect of promoter on the species surface coverage. According to the results, the surface of both catalysts is mainly covered with CO, monomer and carbide. At the same operating condition, carbide surface coverage was significantly higher in the case of Zr promoted catalyst (13.8%) compared to that of Re promoted catalyst (3.3%). Moreover the utilization of Zr promoter resulted in less hydrogenated carbon species (16.3%) which was about 20% in the case of Re promoter. The results also indicated that the product selectivity was mainly governed with monomer, hydrogen and vacant site surface coverage ratios.