Effect of catalyst confinement and pore size on Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over cobalt supported on carbon nanotubes

This paper studies the impact of structure of cobalt catalysts supported on carbon nanotubes(CNT) on the activity and product selectivity of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis(FTS) reaction.Three types of CNT with average pore sizes of 5,11,and 17 nm were used as the supports.The catalysts were prepared by selectively impregnating cobalt nanoparticles either inside or outside CNT.The TPR results indicated that the catalyst with Co particles inside CNT was easier to be reduced than those outside CNT,and the reducibility of cobalt oxide particles inside the CNT decreased with the cobalt oxide particle size increasing.The activity of the catalyst with Co inside CNT was higher than that of catalysts with Co particles outside CNT.Smaller CNT pore size also appears to enhance the catalyst reduction and FTS activity due to the little interaction between cobalt oxide with carbon and the enhanced electron shift on the non-planar carbon tube surface.     

Particle size effects in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis by Co catalyst supported on carbon nanotubes

The effect of Co particle size on the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) activity of carbon nanotube (CNT)-supported Co catalysts was investigated. Microemulsion (using water-to-surfactant molar ratios of 2 to12) and impregnation techniques were used to prepare catalysts with different Co particle sizes. Kinetic studies were performed to understand the effect of Co particle size on catalytic activity. Size-dependent kinetic parameters were developed using a thermodynamic method, to evaluate the structural sensitivity of the CNT-supported Co catalysts. The size-independent FTS reaction rate constant and size-independent adsorption parameter increased with increasing reac-tion temperature. The Polani parameter also depended on catalyst particle size, because of changes in the catalyst surface coverage.     

Fabrication of polyimide nanotubes and carbon nanotubes containing magnetic iron oxide in confinement

Polyimide nanotubes with tunable wall thickness were fabricated by a precursor impregnation method using an AAO template, and carbon nanotubes containing magnetic iron oxide were obtained using ferric chloride-embedded polyimide precursor by a carbonization process.     

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis by nano-structured iron catalyst

Effects of nanoscale iron oxide particles on textural structure, reduction, carburization and catalytic behavior of precipitated iron catalyst in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) are investigated. Nanostructured iron catalysts were prepared by microemulsion method in two series. Firstly, Fe2O3, CuO and La2O3 nanoparticles were prepared separately and were mixed to attain Fe/Cu/La nanostructured catalyst (sep-nano catalyst); Secondly nanostructured catalyst was prepared by co-precipitation in a water-in-oil microemulsion method (mix-nano catalyst). Also, conventional iron catalyst was prepared with common co-precipitation method. Structural characterizations of the catalysts were performed by TEM, XRD, H2 and CO-TPR tests. Particle size of iron oxides for sep-nano and mix-nano catalysts, which were determined by XRD pattern (Scherrer equation) and TEM images was about 20 and 21.6 nm, respectively. Catalyst evaluation was conducted in a fixed-bed stainless steel reactor and compared with conventional iron catalyst. The results revealed that FTS reaction increased while WGS reaction and olefin/paraffin ratio decreased in nanostructured iron catalysts.     

Enhanced visible-light activity of titania via confinement inside carbon nanotubes

Titania confined inside carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was synthesized using a restrained hydrolysis method. Raman spectra and magnetic measurements using a SQUID magnetometer suggested the formation of remarkable oxygen vacancies over the encapsulated TiO(2) in comparison with nanoparticles dispersed on the outer surface of CNTs, extending the photoresponse of TiO(2) from the UV to the visible-light region. The CNT-confined TiO(2) exhibited improved visible-light activity in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) relative to the outside titania and commercial P25, which is attributed to the modification of the electronic structure of TiO(2) induced by the unique confinement inside CNTs. These results provide further insight into the effect of confinement within CNTs, and the composites are expected to be promising for applications in visible-light photocatalysis.     

Synthesis and characterization of multiwall carbon nanotubes/alumina nanohybrid-supported cobalt catalyst in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and alumina are combined to give a new type of nanohybrid for Fisher-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalyst support. Alumina nano-particles (10 wt%) were introduced directly on functionalized MWNTs by a modified sol-gel method. Microstructure observations show that alumina particles were homogeneously dispersed on the inside and outside of modified MWNTs surfaces. 15 wt% cobalt loading catalysts were prepared with this nanohybrid and γ-alumina as a reference, using a sol-gel technique and wet impregnation method respectively. These catalysts were characterized by TEM, XRD, N₂-adsorption, H₂ chemisorption and TPR. The deposition of cobalt nanoparticles synthesized by sol-gel technique on the MWNTs nanohybrid shift the reduction peaks to a low temperature, indicating higher reducibility for uniform cobalt particles. Nanohybrid also aided in high dispersion of metal clusters and high stability and performance of catalyst. The proposed MWNTs nanohybrid-supported cobalt catalysts showed the improved FTS rate (g_HC/(g_cat·min)), CO conversion (%), and water gas shift rate (WGS)(g_CO2/(g_cat·h)) of 0.012, 52, and 30E-3, respectively, as compared to those of 0.007, 25, and 18E-3, respectively, on the γ-alumina-supported cobalt catalysts with the same Co loading.     

Thermal decomposition and cobalt species transformation of carbon nanotubes supported cobalt catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

The effect of calcination condition on the cobalt species and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) was studied. It was found that higher calcination temperature resulted in decreased FTS activities because CNTs were consumed by oxidation in air at temperature higher than 230°C. Cobalt species went through transformation from Co3O4 to metallic Co in Ar by autoreduction at temperature over 500°C. The autoreduction route might be Co3O4→CoO→Co or Co3O4→Co2C→Co. Reduction at temperature higher than 500°C also resulted in decreased FTS activities due to the methanation of CNTs in hydrogen.     

Kinetics studies of nano-structured iron catalyst in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

Kinetic parameters of nano-structured iron catalyst in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) were studied in a wide range of synthesis gas conversions and compared with conventional catalyst. The conventional Fe/Cu/La catalyst was prepared by co-precipitation of Fe and Cu nitrates in aqueous media and Fe/Cu/La nanostructure catalyst was prepared by co-precipitation in a water-in-oil micro-emulsion. Nano-structured iron catalyst shows higher FTS activity. Kinetic results indicated that in FTS rate expression, the rate constant (k) increased and adsorption parameter (b) decreased by decreasing the catalyst particle size from conventional to nano-structured. Since increasing in the rate constant and decreasing in the adsorption parameter affected the FTS rate in parallel direction, the particle size of catalyst showed complicated effects on kinetic parameters of FTS reaction.     

Deactivation studies of nano-structured iron catalyst in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

A nano-structured iron catalyst for syngas conversion to hydrocarbons in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) was prepared by micro-emulsion method. Compositions of bulk iron phase and phase transformations of carbonaceous species during catalyst deactivation in FTS reaction were characterized by temperature-programmed surface reaction with hydrogen (TPSR-H2), and XRD techniques. Many carbonaceous species on surface and bulk of the nano-structured iron catalysts were completely identified by combined TPSR-H2 and XRD spectra and which were compared with those recorded on conventional co-precipitated iron catalyst. The results reveal that the catalyst deactivation results from the formation of inactive carbide phases and surface carbonaceous species like graphite, and it will be increased when the particle size of iron oxides was reduced in FTS iron catalyst.     

Effect of catalyst mass on CVD synthesis of carbon nanotubes

Method for obtaining carbon nanotubes by chemical vapor deposition on metal oxide catalysts produced by the reaction of transition metal nitrates with glycine was considered. The process of synthesis of carbon nanotubes was experimentally studied at various reaction durations, temperatures, and amounts of a catalyst. It was found that the ash content of the product and the content of impurities depend on the amount of a catalyst. A reactor design raising the output capacity of the process for synthesis of carbon nanotubes is suggested.     

Cu助剂对聚乙烯醇辅助沉淀铁催化剂费托合成反应性能的影响

通过共沉淀法或聚乙烯醇（PVA）辅助共沉淀法分别制备了Fe₂O₃和FeCu催化剂,结合BET、XRD、SEM、H₂-TPR等表征手段,研究了Cu助剂对PVA辅助的沉淀铁催化剂的织构性质、物相结构、形貌特征、还原行为以及F-T合成反应性能的影响。结果表明,Cu助剂的加入增大了铁基催化剂中α-Fe₂O₃的晶粒,减小了催化剂的BET比表面积和孔容,增大了孔径;改变了铁基催化剂的形貌;促进了铁基催化剂在H₂中的还原。反应过程中,在催化剂中只添加Cu助剂时,有利于提高催化剂的反应活性,而当同时加入Cu助剂和PVA时,由于Cu助剂与PVA较强的相互作用,反而降低了催化剂的反应活性,且催化剂的选择性向轻质烃方向偏移。     

Studies on product distribution of alkali promoted iron catalyst in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

The dependencies of hydrocarbon product distributions of alkali promoted iron catalyst in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis have been studied. The concept of two superimposed Anderson-Schulz-Flory distributions has been applied for the representation of the effects of Mg, La and Ca promoters on product distributions. The FTS performance of the catalysts was tested in a fixed bed reactor under the conditions 563 K, 1.7 MPa, H2/CO = 1 and space velocities 4.86 and 13.28 nl h-1 gFe-1 . The results indicate that approp...     

Development of niobium-promoted cobalt catalysts on carbon nanotubes for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

Cobalt-based catalysts were prepared by a wet impregnation method on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) support and promoted with niobium.Samples were characterized by nitrogen adsorption,TEM,XRD,TPR,TPO and H2-TPD.Addition of niobium increased the dispersion of cobalt but decreased the catalysts reducibility.Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) was carried out in a fixed-bed microreactor at 543 K,1 atm and H2/CO=2 for 5 h.Addition of niobium enhanced the C5+ hydrocarbons selectivity by 39% and reduced methane selectivity by 59%.These effects were more pronounced for 0.04%Nb/Co/CNTs catalyst,compared with those observed for other niobium compositions.     

Zn对沉淀铁催化剂结构及其F-T合成性能的影响

采用低温N₂吸附、XRD、MES、CO-TPR和H₂-DTG研究了Zn(100 gFe/x gZn, x=7～100)助剂对 Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) 合成Fe基催化剂的织构性质、还原行为以及相变结构的影响;在H₂/CO=2.0、260 ℃、1.5 MPa和4000 mL/(g·h) 条件下在固定床反应器上考察了Zn助剂含量对Fe基催化剂F-T合成反应活性、烃产物选择性和运行稳定性的影响。研究结果表明,随着Zn含量的增加,氧化态催化剂的物相由α-Fe₂O₃和ZnFe₂O₄逐渐向ZnFe₂O₄和ZnO转变,ZnFe₂O₄在催化剂中优先生成,只有在超出其计量比1∶2之后才有ZnO出现。由于ZnFe₂O₄较为稳定,能够促进催化剂中Fe物相的分散,导致比表面积增加。在还原和反应态催化剂中,ZnFe₂O₄一方面抑制催化剂的过度还原和碳化;另一方面表现为稳定活性相铁碳化物。催化剂的F-T反应性能评价结果表明,纯铁催化剂由于铁碳化物氧化而迅速失活,而Zn助剂催化剂却由于ZnFe₂O₄的稳定作用,活性较为稳定。同时,由于催化剂在反应初相变的影响,导致Zn助剂催化剂的初始烯烃选择性随着Zn含量的增加而增加,在相态稳定之后选择性趋于一致。     

Effects of Zn promoter on the structure and Fischer-Tropsch performance of iron catalyst

采用低温N2吸附、XRD、MES、CO-TPR和H2-DTG研究了Zn(100 gFe/x gZn,x=7～100)助剂对Fischer-Tropsch(F-T)合成Fe基催化剂的织构性质、还原行为以及相变结构的影响;在H2/CO=2.0、260℃、1.5 MPa和4000 mL/(g·h)条件下在固定床反应器上考察了Zn助剂含量对Fe基催化剂F-T合成反应活性、烃产物选择性和运行稳定性的影响.研究结果表明,随着Zn含量的增加,氧化态催化剂的物相由α-Fe2O3和ZnFe2O4逐渐向ZnFe2O4和ZnO转变,ZnFe2O4在催化剂中优先生成,只有在超出其计量比1∶2之后才有ZnO出现.由于ZnFe2O4较为稳定,能够促进催化剂中Fe物相的分散,导致比表面积增加.在还原和反应态催化剂中,ZnFe2O4一方面抑制催化剂的过度还原和碳化;另一方面表现为稳定活性相铁碳化物.催化剂的F-T反应性能评价结果表明,纯铁催化剂由于铁碳化物氧化而迅速失活,而Zn助剂催化剂却由于ZnFe2O4的稳定作用,活性较为稳定.同时,由于催化剂在反应初相变的影响,导致Zn助剂催化剂的初始烯烃选择性随着Zn含量的增加而增加,在相态稳定之后选择性趋于一致.     

Partially hydrated iron–chromium oxide catalyst for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

Due to their well-developed surface, partially hydrated iron–chromium oxides with the ferrihydrite structure exhibit much higher activity in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis than those that have the hematite structure.     

沉淀铁费托合成催化剂焙烧工艺的优化研究

通过DOE实验设计对沉淀铁费托合成催化剂焙烧过程进行了优化,并给出了焙烧过程的分子模拟与粒子长大模型。结果表明,随着焙烧温度的升高和焙烧时间的延长,催化剂的孔容减小,堆比及骨架密度增加,耐磨性改善。BET表面与磨耗的变化趋势一致,即比表面积越小磨耗越小;磨耗与密度成线性反比关系,密度越高磨耗越小。通过焙烧工艺的优化,可调变Cu、Si通过O原子与Fe原子的键合作用及催化剂的粒子粒径,得到较高F-T活性且稳定性好的沉淀铁催化剂。在该实验中,优化的焙烧温度为560℃。     

Study of activated carbon supported iron catalysts for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

Summary Characterization (BET and TPD) and reaction studies were conducted with activated carbon supported iron catalysts (Fe/AC) used for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS). The TPD study showed that there existed interactions between metals and the AC surface. Greater association of Cu and K promoters with the AC surface resulted in stronger promoter to surface interaction, which enhanced the H₂ desorption ability of the Cu and K promoted Fe/AC catalyst prepared under vacuum impregnation (VI). Catalytic behavior of a Fe/AC catalyst (VI-15 Fe/2 Cu/2 K/81 AC, in parts per weight) was studied in a 1-liter slurry phase continuous stirred tank reactor. The catalyst presented moderate syngas conversion (44.3-60.6%) and high gaseous selectivity (CH₄, 12.8-15.1% and C₂-C₄, 42.4-46.1%) under 304^oC, 3.0 MPa, 1.1 L(STP)/g-cat/h, and H₂/CO = 2.0 during 166 h of testing. Detectable hydrocarbons up to C₁₈ were formed on the Fe/AC catalyst.     

Effect of niobium promoter on iron-based catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch reaction

Niobium-promoted Fe/CNTs catalysts were prepared using a wet impregnation method.Samples were characterized by nitrogen adsorption,H2-TPR,TPD,XRD and TEM.The Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis(FTS) was carried out in a fixed-bed microreactor at 220 ℃,1 atm and H2/CO=2 for 5 h.Addition of niobium into Fe/CNTs increased the dispersion,decreased the average size of iron oxide nanoparticles and the catalyst reducibility.Niobium-promoted Fe catalyst resulted in appreciable increase in the selectivity of C5+ hydrocarbons and suppressed methane formation.These effects were more pronounced for the 0.04%Nb/Fe/CNTs catalyst,compared to those observed from other niobium compositions.The 0.04%Nb/Fe/CNTs catalyst enhanced the C5+ hydrocarbons selectivity by a factor of 67.5% and reduced the methane selectivity by a factor of 59.2%.     

Kinetics of the water-gas shift reaction in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over a nano-structured iron catalyst

Based on formate and direct oxidation mechanisms, three Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson (LHHW) kinetic models of the water-gasshift (WGS) reaction over a nano-structured iron catalyst under Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) reaction conditions were derived and compared with those over the conventional catalyst. The conventional and nanostructured Fe/Cu/La/Si catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation of Fe and Cu nitrates in aqueous media and water-oil micro-emulsion, respectively. The WGS kinetic data were measured by experiments over a wide range of reaction conditions and comparisons were also made for various rate equations. WGS rate expressions based on the formate mechanism with the assumption that the formation of formate is rate determining step were found to be the best.