TITLE: Characterization of Iron Catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis.  Technical Progress Report, April 1, 1984-June 30, 1984.

INST.  AUTHOR: Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL. Dept. of Chemistry.

SPONSOR: Department of Energy, Washington, DC.

LANGUAGE: English

PUB.  TYPE: Technical Report

PUB.  COUNTRY: United States

SOURCE: Department of Energy [DE],  1984,  3p.

ABSTRACT:

A primary objective of this project is to characterize the stable, active surface formed on supported iron catalysts during Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The first phase of the research, characterization of reference iron compounds by x-ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopy, has been completed. Iron core-level, Auger, and valence band spectra have been measured for clean metal foils, reduced metal powders, bulk Fe sub 3 O sub 4 and alpha -Fe sub 2 O sub 3 powders, oxide overlayers on metal foils, and carbided (chi-Fe sub 5 C sub 2 ) metal powders and foils. Efforts during this reporting period focused on the in situ preparation and characterization of iron carbides. Carbide powders were prepared by reducing alpha -Fe sub 2 O sub 3 powder in flowing hydrogen at 400 exp 0 C, followed by carburization in either ethylene or a 3:1 H sub 2 /CO mixture at 250 to 275 exp 0 C. Following characterization in the electron spectrometer, the samples were analyzed by Moessbauer effect spectroscopy to determine the extent and types of bulk carbide phases formed.  Preliminary experiments indicated that the rate of carburization in ethylene were significantly slower than in the H sub 2 /CO mixture.  Samples carbided in ethylene were pre-carbided prior to introduction into the spectrometer, to minimize the time required for in situ carburization.  (ERA citation 09:039817)

REPORT  NUMBER: DOE/PC/60795-3

CONTRACT  NUMBER: FG22-83PC60795