Spatially-resolved reaction profiles in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis – influence of operating conditions and promotion for iron-based catalysts

The complex reaction mechanism of iron-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis comprises of manifold primary and secondary reaction pathways. Within this work, an experimental setup for spatially-resolved measurements on promoted iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalysts is presented, allowing for a general study of the influence of operating conditions and promotion as well as of the influence of secondary reactions on product selectivity. It was found that, depending on catalyst composition, considerable hydrogenation of 1-alcohols and olefins occurs, while no considerable influence of reinitiation of chain growth on product distribution could be found. [Display omitted] •In-situ analysis of iron-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis at reaction conditions.•Measurement of concentration profiles for Fischer-Tropsch products.•Influence of reaction conditions and promoters on measured profiles studied.•Evidence for secondary hydrogenation of primary formed 1-alcohols and olefins.•No evidence for reinitiation of chain growth by readsorbed primary products.