Hydrocarbon production from synthesis gas over ZnO?Cr2O3+SA physical mixtures and Pd/SA impregnated catalysts

The performances of ZnO–Cr₂O₃+silica-alumina physically mixed and Pd impregnated on silica-alumina catalysts in the transformation of synthesis gas to hydrocarbons are compared in the present work. ZnO–Cr₂O₃ or Pd and silicaalumina are used as methanol synthesis and the hydrocarbon formation catalysts, respectively. The highest CO conversion corresponds to the highest relative amount of methanol synthesis active sites. The highest proximity between both types of active sites in the Pd imprenated on silica-alumina produces higher hydrocarbon selectivity and higher C₁ fraction than when using the physically mixed ZnO–Cr₂O₃+silica-alumina catalysts.