TITLE: Technology development for iron Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. Technical progress report No. 4, June 26, 1991--September 26, 1991.

AUTHOR: R. R. Frame.

INST.  AUTHOR: UOP, Inc., Des Plaines, IL.

SPONSOR: Department of Energy, Washington, DC.

LANGUAGE: English

PUB.  TYPE: Technical Report

PUB.  COUNTRY: United States

SOURCE: Department of Energy [DE],  26 Aug 92,  44p.

NTIS ORDER NO.: DE92041282INW

ABSTRACT:

The preparation of binderless iron oxide spheres has been achieved by a novel sol-gel forming procedure. The starting material is a solution of iron (III) 2-ethylhexanoate in mineral spirits. This solution is added dropwise to an ammoniacal solution of methanol. The low viscosity of the methanol causes the formation of small droplets of the iron solution. The immiscibility of the mineral spirit solution in the methanol and the difference in surface tensions cause the droplets to assume a spherical shape. The presence of ammonia and water at low levels in the methanol promotes the hydrolysis of the iron (III) 2-ethylhexanoate, which causes the spherical particles to harden. The iron-containing spheres can then be isolated by filtration. These spheres are the first ones reported to be made of 100% iron oxide and prepared without a binder. In the initial preparations, the spheres are 100 to 200(mu)m in diameter. Some problems remain to be resolved with this new method of preparation.

REPORT  NUMBER: DOE/PC/90055-T5

CONTRACT  NUMBER: AC22-90PC90055