TITLE: Moessbauer spectroscopy studies of iron-catalysts used in Fischer-Tropsch (FT) processes. Quarterly technical progress report, January--March, 1995.

AUTHOR: G. P. Huffman;   K. R. P. Rao.

INST.  AUTHOR: Kentucky Univ., Lexington.

SPONSOR: Department of Energy, Washington, DC.

LANGUAGE: English

PUB.  TYPE: Technical Report

PUB.  COUNTRY: United States

SOURCE: Department of Energy [DE],  1995,  5p.

NTIS ORDER NO.: DE96000915INW

ABSTRACT:

Moessbauer spectroscopy investigations were carried out on 14 iron-based catalysts during the period under review. The catalyst 100Fe/4.4Si/0.71K all atomic ratios) was subjected to activation first in syngas and subsequently in CO gas atmosphere. Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis was carried out on the above catalyst. Another catalyst 100Fe/4.4Si/2.6Cu/0.71K (all atomic ratios) activated in syngas and subjected to FT synthesis was also studied to understand the effect of added Cu on the phase distribution and its effect on the FT activity. The following trends were observed: (1) activation of the catalyst in syngas, H(sub 2)/CO, lead to the formation of Fe(sub 3)O(sub 4) and no carbides were formed, the FT activity was found to be low at 9--12% (H(sub 2)+CO) conversion; (2) activation of the catalyst in CO for 22hrs lead to the formation of 33% of (chi)-carbide and the FT activity was found to be high at 88% maximum; (3) addition of copper to the catalyst has improved the FT activity for those catalysts pretreated in syngas at elevated pressures.

REPORT  NUMBER: DOE/PC/93066-T5

CONTRACT  NUMBER: AC22-94PC93066