Slurry-phase Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and kinetic studies over supported cobalt carbonyl derived catalysts

This paper reports the preparation characterization, and performance of cobalt carbonyl cluster based catalysts for use in slurry-phase Fischer--Tropsch (FT) technology investigated. Using metal carbonyls as active metal precursors allows for the control of metal particle size on the support surface, thus offering the potential for better control of activity and selectivity of the FT reaction. Silica as the support provided the highest catalyst activities. A Co{sub 2}(CO){sub 8}/Zr(OPr){sub 4}/SiO{sub 2} catalyst (3.5% cobalt, 6.6% zirconium) was developed as the most active system in the FT slurry reactor and also gave the best liquid fuel selectivity. Selectivity patterns correlated to the Schulz--Flory prediction. These catalysts exhibited low water/gas shift activity. Diesel fuel product produced by this catalyst was high quality. A kinetic expression that took water inhibition into account was verified, yielding an activation energy of 97 kJ/mol for syngas conversion ranging from 34% to 71% at 240--280{degrees} C.