TITLE: Transition Metal-Graphite Catalysts for Production of Light Hydrocarbons from Synthesis Gas. Quarterly Report, February 1, 1978--April 30, 1978.

AUTHOR: M. P. Rosynek.

INST.  AUTHOR: Texas A and M Univ., College Station. Dept. of Chemistry.

SPONSOR: Department of Energy.

LANGUAGE: English

PUB.  TYPE: Technical Report

PUB.  COUNTRY: United States

SOURCE: Department of Energy [DE],  May 78,  26p.

ABSTRACT:

Cobalt-graphite intercalates, when used as catalysts for the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide at one atmosphere pressure, exhibit a markedly different effect of reaction temperature on product distribution in the range 200 to 300 exp 0 C than does a conventional kieselguhr-supported cobalt catalyst under the same conditions. In the latter case, the percentage of all reacted CO involved in methane formation increased from 27% at 200 exp 0 to 87% at 300 exp 0 C, while the percentage yielding C sub 2+ hydrocarbons decreased proportionately from 69% to 7%. Over cobalt-graphite, on the other hand, methane accounted for a virtually constant 35% of all reacted CO throughout the 200 to 300 exp 0 C range, while the C sub 2 + C sub 3 olefin/paraffin fraction increased slightly from 31% at 200 exp 0 to 41% at 300 exp 0 , and C sub 4+  hydrocarbons only decreased from 30% to 20% of all converted CO at the same temperatures. The results suggest that interlayer penetration of the graphite intercalate lattice by H sub 2 /CO reactant may be the rate-limiting step of the reaction. Poisoning studies utilizing hydrogen sulfide indicated that only 0.6 to 0.7% of all intercalated cobalt atoms are accessible as catalytically active sites. (ERA citation 03:054773)

CONTRACT  NUMBER: EX-76-C-01-2467