Effects of preparation variables on an alumina-supported FeCuK Fischer–Tropsch catalyst

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of various, carefully-chosen preparation methods on the performance of Fischer–Tropsch (FT) alumina-supported iron/copper/potassium (FeCuK/Al₂O₃) catalysts. Two tested preparation methods (co-impregnation and non-aqueous slurry impregnation) yielded supported Fe catalysts with better catalyst performance than previously thought possible. These two supported iron catalysts have high reaction rates (114–154 mmol (CO + H₂) g_cat⁻¹ MPa⁻¹ h⁻¹), good productivity (0.26–0.29 g_HC g_cat⁻¹ h⁻¹), and reasonable stability. In fact, both catalysts are more active than any supported Fe catalyst reported outside our group and compare favorably with unsupported catalysts. Superior activity, coupled with the high strength of a supported catalyst, make these catalysts excellent candidates for use in slurry bubble column reactor (SBCR) applications.