TITLE: Study of Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Through the Use of Surface Intermediate Scavengers. Progress Report, August 1, 1981-July 31, 1982.

AUTHOR: J. G. Ekerdt.

INST.  AUTHOR: Texas Univ. at Austin.

SPONSOR: Department of Energy, Washington, DC.

LANGUAGE: English

PUB.  TYPE: Technical Report

PUB.  COUNTRY: United States

SOURCE: Department of Energy [DE],  Jul 82,  12p.

ABSTRACT:

The primary objective of the research effort is to develop a more complete understanding of the reaction intermediates and the reaction pathways by which the intermediates convert CO into hydrocarbons.  Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and Isosynthesis systems are being studied. The Fischer-Tropsch studies are directed toward the causes for synthesis selectivity over metals which are thought to exhibit a common reaction pathway and at the same time a different product distribution. The Fischer-Tropsch work has been limited to 20.44 wt % Fe sub 2 O sub 3 /SiO sub 2 at 1.54 atmospheres. Pyridine is used to chemically scavenge hydrocarbon fragments, probably alkyl fragments, from the surface during the synthesis reaction. Correlations between the alkylsubstituted pyridine and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis product distributions support a mechanistic scheme in which surface chain growth involves methylene insertion into alkyl fragments. The kinetic parameters which characterize alkyl fragment reactivity are being determined and will be related to Fischer-Tropsch product formation kinetic parameters as a means of understanding synthesis selectivity. The Isosynthesis work is directed toward understanding the causes for the high selectivity to branched alkanes and aromatics exhibited by certain oxide catalysts. The work has centered upon the reaction products formed at very low conversion as a means of understanding primary product formation and possible rereaction to secondary products. Reactions are studied over unsupported ZrO sub 2 at 37 atmospheres and temperatures ranging from 300 to 600 exp 0 C in a differential reactor. (ERA citation 07:051017)

REPORT  NUMBER: DOE/ER/10720-3

CONTRACT  NUMBER: AS05-80ER10720