Formation of Co-Ru/MgO/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: A magnetic method for the estimation of cobalt particle size

The physicochemical properties of Co-supported catalysts were studied, and the particle size of Co in Co/MgO/Al₂O₃ and Co-0.2% Ru/MgO/Al₂O₃ catalysts for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) was estimated using a magnetic method. It was found that a considerable fraction of superparamagnetic Co particles, which increase selectivity for C₅₊ hydrocarbons and decrease the yield of methane in the FTS, was present in a ruthenium-containing catalyst along with single-domain ferromagnetic particles. In this case, the catalyst activity increased by a factor of 10.     

Catalysis for One‐step Synthesis of Dimethyl Ether from Hydrogenation of CO

In this paper, a new catalyst system Cu‐Mn‐(M)/γ‐Al₂O₃ was developed for the directly synthesis dimethyl ether (DME) from synthesis gas in a fixed‐bed reactor. The catalysts with different n (Cu) : n (Mn) ratios, several promoter M (M is one of Zn, Cr, W, Mo, Fe, Co or Ni) were prepared and tested. The results showed the catalysts have a high conversion of CO and a high DME selectivity. The DME yield in tail gas reached 46.0% (at 63.27% conversion of CO) at 2.0 MPa, 275°C, 1500 h^?1 with the Cu₂Mn₄Zn/γ‐Al₂O₃ catalyst.     

Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis by Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation on Fe-Based Catalysts

Impregnated and co-precipitated, promoted and unpromoted, bulk and supported iron catalysts were prepared, characterized, and subjected to hydrogenation of CO₂ at various pressures (1–2 MPa) and temperatures (573–673 K). Potassium, as an important promoter, enhanced the CO₂ uptake and selectivity towards olefins and long-chain hydrocarbons. Al₂O₃, when added as a structural promoter during co-precipitation, increased CO₂ conversion as well as selectivity to C₂₊ hydrocarbons. Among V, Cr, Mn and Zn promoters, Zn offered the highest selectivity to C₂–C₄ alkenes. The different episodes involved in the transformation of the catalyst before it reached steady-state were identified, on the co-precipitated catalyst. Using a biomass derived syngas (CO/CO₂/H₂), CO alone took part in hydrogenation. When enriched with H₂, CO₂ was also converted to hydrocarbons. The deactivation of impregnated Fe–K/Al₂O₃ catalyst was found to be due to carbon deposition, whereas that for the precipitated catalyst was due to increase in crystallinity of iron species. The suitability of SiO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, HY and ion exchanged NaY as supports was examined for obtaining high activity and selectivity towards light olefins and C₂₊ hydrocarbons and found Al₂O₃ to be the best support. A comparative study with Co catalysts revealed the advantages of Fe catalysts for hydrocarbon production by F–T synthesis.     

Reactions ofn-hexane andn-nonane on Pt catalysts and hydrogenating off hydrocarbonaceous adspecies after reaction

n-Hexane andn-nonane were reacted on Pt black, 6% Pt/SiO₂, 0.8% Pt/KL zeolite and a 0.6% industrial Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst. Selectivities were compared at ∼10% conversion. After reaction, the catalyst was exposed to H₂ and the hydrocarbons leaving the catalysts were analyzed. The amount of hydrocarbons left the catalysts decreased in the sequence Pt black>Pt/SiO₂>Pt/KL>Pt/Al₂O₃. The composition of removed hydrocarbons gave important—although indirect—information on the possible state of “hydrocarbonaceous deposits” during catalysis.     

The catalytic performance of different promoted iron catalysts on combined supports Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> for carbon dioxide hydrogenation

Global warming, fossil fuel depletion and fuel price increases have motivated scientists to search for methods for the storage and reduction of the amount of greenhouse gases, especially CO₂. The hydrogenation process has been introduced as an emerging method of CO₂ capture and convertion into value-added products. In this study, new types of catalysts are introduced for CO₂ hydrogenation and are compared based on catalytic activity and product selectivity. The physical properties of the samples are specified using BET. Iron catalysts supported on γ-Al₂O₃ with different metal promoters (X = Ni, K, Mn, Cu) are prepared through the impregnation method. Moreover, Fe–Ni catalysts supported on HZSM5-Al₂O₃ and Ce–Al₂O₃ are synthesized. Samples are reduced by pure H₂ and involved in hydrogenation reaction in a fixed bed reactor (H₂/CO₂ = 3, total pressure = 10 MPa, temperature = 523 K, GHSV = 2000, 1250 nml/min). All catalysts provide high conversion in hydrogenation reactions and the results illustrate that the selectivity of light hydrocarbons is higher than that of methane and CO. It is found that Ni has a promoting effect on the conversion fluctuations throughout the reaction with 66.13% conversion. Using combined supported catalysts leads to enhancing catalytic performance. When Fe–Ni/γ–Al₂O₃—HZSM5 is utilized, CO₂ conversion is 81.66% and the stability of the Fe–Ni catalyst supported on Al₂O₃ and Ce–Al₂O₃ furthey improves.     

Selective Hydrogenation of Acetylene and Physicochemical Properties of Pd–Fe/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Bimetallic Catalysts

The selective hydrogenation of acetylene on Pd–Fe/Al₂O₃ catalysts prepared by decomposition of ferrocene on reduced Pd/Al₂O₃ was studied. The effect of the conditions of treatment of the Pd–ferrocene/ Al₂O₃ precursor on the catalyst activity and selectivity was investigated, and the optimum conditions were determined at which the Pd–Fe/Al₂O₃ catalyst has higher selectivity than Pd/Al₂O₃ without any loss of activity.     

Synthesis of hydrocarbons from Co and H2 in the presence of supported Co catalysts modified by palladium

A study has been made of the effect of Pd on the activity and selectivity of Co catalysts prepared by impregnating various supports (SiO₂, SiO₂-Al₂O₃, Al₂O₃) with cobalt carbonyl or nitrate in the synthesis of hydrocarbons from CO and H₂. It is shown that the addition of Pd leads to an increase in the yield of liquid hydrocarbons and to a change in their composition. It has been established by IR spectroscopy that the introduction of Pd into the composition of carbonyl catalysts affects the formation of their surface.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 521–524, March, 1990.     

Novel Co/graphene oxide and Co/nanoporous graphene catalysts for Fischer–Tropsch reaction

For the first time, nanoporous graphene and graphene oxide sheets have been synthesized and used as supports for preparation of Co/graphene-based catalysts to evaluate their efficiency in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis and for comparison with the performance of Co/Al₂O₃ to study the effects of the carbon supports on the reaction. Outstanding results were obtained compared with the alumina counterpart. Application of nanoporous graphene yielded heavier hydrocarbons compared with the Co/Al₂O₃ catalyst, possibly due to the high surface area and intrinsic properties of the carbon nanostructures as effective hydrogen carriers. Use of graphene oxide and nanoporous graphene supports also resulted in high CO₂ selectivity. However, the graphene-supported catalysts displayed lower C₁–C₄ hydrocarbon selectivity compared with the Al₂O₃ catalyst.     

Mass- and heat-transfer-enhanced catalyst system for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in fixed-bed reactors

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) was carried out using Al₂O₃-supported Co catalyst coated on metallic monolith. Considering the liberation of a large amont of heat from the highly exothermic FTS reaction, catalytic activity of Co catalyst coated on metallic monolith was tested and compared with that of pellet-type catalysts. The reaction was carried out in a conventional tubular fixed-bed reactor and simulated distillation (SIMDIS) analysis method was used to determine the liquid products distribution. Proper control of degree of reaction, as well as the reaction temperature gave rise to a shift of products selectivity toward higher hydrocarbons, especially C₁₃?C₁₈ diesel range hydrocarbons.     

Carbon Dioxide Reforming of Methane over Ni Catalysts Supported on Al2O3 Modified with La2O3, MgO, and CaO

The preparation of synthesis gas from carbon dioxide reforming of methane (CDR) has attracted increasing attention. The present review mainly focuses on CDR to produce synthesis gas over Ni/MO_x/Al₂O₃ (X = La, Mg, Ca) catalysts. From the examination of various supported nickel catalysts, the promotional effects of La₂O₃, MgO, and CaO have been found. The addition of promoters to Al₂O₃-supported nickel catalysts enhances the catalytic activity as well as stability. The catalytic performance is strongly dependent on the loading amount of promoters. For example, the highest CH₄ and CO₂ conversion were obtained when the ratios of metal M to Al were in the range of 0.04–0.06. In the case of Ni/La₂O₃/Al₂O₃ catalyst, the highest CH₄ conversion (96%) and CO₂ conversion (97%) was achieved with the catalyst (La/Al = 0.05 (atom/atom)). For Ni/CaO/Al₂O₃ catalyst, the catalyst with Ca/Al = 0.04 (atom/atom) exhibited the highest CH₄ conversion (91%) and CO₂ conversion (92%) among the catalysts with various CaO content. Also, Ni/MgO/Al₂O₃ catalyst with Mg/Al = 0.06 (atom/atom) showed the highest CH₄ conversion (89%) and CO₂ conversion (90%) among the catalysts with various Mg/Al ratios. Thus it is most likely that the optimal ratios of M to Al for the highest activities of the catalysts are related to the highly dispersed metal species. In addition, the improved catalytic performance of Al₂O₃-supported nickel catalysts promoted with metal oxides is due to the strong interaction between Ni and metal oxide, the stabilization of metal oxide on Al₂O₃ and the basic property of metal oxide to prevent carbon formation.     

Influence of Support Type and Metal Loading in Methane Decomposition over Iron Catalyst for Hydrogen Production

Natural gas resources, stimulate the method of catalytic methane decomposition. Hydrogen is a superb energy carrier and integral component of the present energy systems, while carbon nanotubes exhibit remarkable chemical and physical properties. The reaction was run at 700 °C in a fixed bed reactor. Catalyst calcination and reduction were done at 500 °C. MgO, TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ supported catalysts were prepared using a co‐precipitation method. Catalysts of different iron loadings were characterized with BET, TGA, XRD, H₂‐TPR and TEM. The catalyst characterization revealed the formation of multi‐walled nanotubes. Alternatively, time on stream tests of supported catalyst at 700 °C revealed the relative profiles of methane conversions increased as the %Fe loading was increased. Higher %Fe loadings decreased surface area of the catalyst. Iron catalyst supported with Al₂O₃ exhibited somewhat higher catalytic activity compared with MgO and TiO₂ supported catalysts when above 35% Fe loading was used. CH₄ conversion of 69% was obtained utilizing 60% Fe/Al₂O₃ catalyst. Alternatively, Fe/MgO catalysts gave the highest initial conversions when iron loading below 30% was employed. Indeed, catalysts with 15% Fe/MgO gave 63% conversion and good stability for 1 h time on stream. Inappropriateness of Fe/TiO₂ catalysts in the catalytic methane decomposition was observed.     

Co-Mo/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and Ni-W/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts: Potential and prospects for use in hydrotreating of light cycle oil from catalytic cracking

Со-Мо/Al₂O₃ and Ni-W/Al₂O₃ catalysts were tested in hydrotreating of light cycle oil from catalytic cracking, of the straight-run gasoil, and of their mixture under typical hydrotreating conditions used in industry. The catalysts prepared using PMo₁₂ and PW₁₂ heteropoly acids exhibit high catalytic activity. The Со-Мо/Al₂O₃ catalyst is more active in hydrodesulfurization and hydrogenation of olefin and diene hydrocarbons, whereas the Ni-W/Al₂O₃ catalysts are more active in hydrogenation of mono- and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Comparison of the quality characteristics of the hydrogenizates obtained with the requirements of the technical regulations shows that the required levels of the sulfur content and cetane number of the hydrogenizates at practically accessible process parameters can be reached for mixtures of the straight-run gasoil and light cycle oil from catalytic cracking with high content of the latter component only when the process with the Со-Мо/Al₂O₃ system and Ni-W/Al₂O₃ catalysts is performed in two steps.     

Catalytic Activity of Thermolyzed [Co(NH3)6][Fe(CN)6] in CO Hydrogenation Reaction

Currently, the processes of obtaining synthetic liquid hydrocarbons and oxygenates are very relevant. Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is the most important step in these processes. The products of thermal destruction in argon of the mixture [Co(NH₃)₆][Fe(CN)₆] and Al(OH)₃ were used as catalysts for CO hydrogenation. The resulting compositions were studied using powder X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, SEM micrographs. The specific surface area, pore and particle size distributions were determined. It was determined that the DCS-based catalysts were active in the high-temperature Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The effect of aluminum in the catalyst composition on the distribution of reaction products was revealed.     

Metal-Support Interaction and Catalysis of the Catalysts Prepared Using Microemulsion

We have developed a new preparation method (ME method) of supported metal catalysts by using microemulsion. The metal particles in the catalyst prepared by this method were interacted strongly with support and were considered to be positively charged, and the SiO₂-supported Rh and Fe catalysts prepared by this method exhibited a unique activity and a good selectivity to oxygenates in the hydrogenation of CO. The Al₂O₃-supported Ni catalyst also exhibited an excellent activity and a strong resistance to carbon deposition in the methane-steam reforming. In this review, these interesting catalytic behaviors of the catalysts prepared by ME method were elucidated from the view-point of the electronic state of metals.     

Gold catalysts supported on ZnO/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> for low-temperature CO oxidation

Gold catalysts with loadings ranging from 0.5 to 7.0 wt% on a ZnO/Al₂O₃ support were prepared by the deposition–precipitation method (Au/ZnO/Al₂O₃) with ammonium bicarbonate as the precipitation agent and were evaluated for performance in CO oxidation. These catalysts were characterized by inductively coupled plasma-atom emission spectrometry, temperature programmed reduction, and scanning transmission electron microscopy. The catalytic activity for CO oxidation was measured using a flow reactor under atmospheric pressure. Catalytic activity was found to be strongly dependent on the reduction property of oxygen adsorbed on the gold surface, which related to gold particle size. Higher catalytic activity was found when the gold particles had an average diameter of 3–5 nm; in this range, gold catalysts were more active than the Pt/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalyst in CO oxidation. Au/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalyst with small amount of ZnO is more active than Au/Al₂O₃ catalyst due to higher dispersion of gold particles.     

Ni/Al2O3 catalysts for CO methanation: Effect of Al2O3 supports calcined at different temperatures

The correlation between phase structures and surface acidity of Al₂O₃ supports calcined at different temperatures and the catalytic performance of Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts in the production of synthetic natural gas (SNG) via CO methanation was systematically investigated. A series of 10 wt% NiO/Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by the conventional impregnation method, and the phase structures and surface acidity of Al₂O₃ supports were adjusted by calcining the commercial γ-Al₂O₃ at different temperatures (600–1200 °C). CO methanation reaction was carried out in the temperature range of 300–600 °C at different weight hourly space velocities (WHSV = 30000 and 120000 mL·g^?1·h^?1) and pressures (0.1 and 3.0 MPa). It was found that high calcination temperature not only led to the growth in Ni particle size, but also weakened the interaction between Ni nanoparticles and Al₂O₃ supports due to the rapid decrease of the specific surface area and acidity of Al₂O₃ supports. Interestingly, Ni catalysts supported on Al₂O₃ calcined at 1200 °C (Ni/Al₂O₃-1200) exhibited the best catalytic activity for CO methanation under different reaction conditions. Lifetime reaction tests also indicated that Ni/Al₂O₃-1200 was the most active and stable catalyst compared with the other three catalysts, whose supports were calcined at lower temperatures (600, 800 and 1000 °C). These findings would therefore be helpful to develop Ni/Al₂O₃ methanation catalyst for SNG production.     

A Brief Catalyst Study on Direct Methane Conversion Using a Dielectric Barrier Discharge

A series of metal catalysts was used for methane conversion to higher hydrocarbons and hydrogen in a dielectric barrier discharge. The main goal of this study is to identify the metal catalyst components which can influence the reactions in room‐temperature plasma conditions. The catalysts supported by γ‐Al₂O₃ and zeolite (ZSM 5x) were prepared by the incipient wetness method with solutions containing the metal ions of the second component. Among the catalysts tested, only Pt and Fe catalysts showed a unique result of catalytic reaction in a reactor bed packed with glass beads.     

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over Ru/Al2O3 catalysts

Fischer-Tropsch syntheses (FTS) were carried out in a slurry phase over Ru/Al₂O₃ catalysts using hexadecane as a solvent. The outcome of the FTS was dependent on the oxide support, calcination temperature, synthesis gas composition and sulfur content. The addition of Mn/Na to Ru/Al₂O₃ was effective in raising the initial activity and C5+ selectivity, but after 20 hours, the performance of the modified catalyst was similar to that of the unmodified catalyst. An additional investigation involving the use of fresh vs used catalysts demonstrated that an agglomeration of the metallic Ru, at least in part, does occur during the reaction.     

Dearomatization, cetane improvement and deep desulfurization of diesel feedstock in a single-stage reactor

Hydrotreating of light cycle oil over CoMo/Al₂O₃, NiMo/Al₂O₃ and NiW/Al₂O₃ catalysts has shown that the type of catalyst has a critical influence on the composition and properties of the product. Divergent effects of aromatics content and molecular weight on the cetane index by these catalysts occurred. Data show that it was not possible to obtain a diesel product that meets stringent specifications using one type of catalyst in a single-stage reactor even under severe operating conditions.     

Effect of the nature of the carrier on the properties of Co catalysts preheated in air in synthesis of hydrocarbons from CO and H2

A study has been made of the effect of preheating Co/Al₂O₃ and Co/SiO₂ catalysts in a stream of air on their susceptibility to reduction and catalytic properties in the synthesis of hydrocarbons from CO and H₂. It has been shown that as the pretreatment temperature increases there is a decrease in the extent of Co reduction for both systems together with a decrease in the yield of liquid synthesis products for Co/SiO₂ and an increase in yield for Co/Al₂O₃. It is proposed that interaction between cobalt oxide and Al₂O₃ during preheating produces additional active centers on the surface of the sample.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2450–2455, November, 1991.