TITLE: Transition Metal-Graphite Catalysts for Production of Light Hydrocarbons from Synthesis Gas. Quarterly Report, August 1, 1976--October 31, 1976.

AUTHOR: M. P. Rosynek.

INST.  AUTHOR: Texas Agricultural and Mechanical Univ., College Station. Dept. of Chemistry.

SPONSOR: Energy Research and Development Administration.

LANGUAGE: English

PUB.  TYPE: Technical Report

PUB.  COUNTRY: United States

SOURCE: Energy Research and Development Administration [ERDA],  Nov 76, 15p.

ABSTRACT:

Suitable methods have been established for the preparation of alkali and transition metal-graphite catalysts. These involve thermal treatment in vacuo at 300 to 400 exp 0 C of appropriate graphite-transition metal chloride mixtures to affect intercalation of the metal chloride, followed by reduction with alkali metal in vacuo at 250 to 300 exp 0 C, and subsequent removal of excess alkali metal by distillation. Preliminary catalytic testing of sodium and potassium graphites for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis at 300 exp 0 C and at atmospheric pressure reveals behavior quite unlike that exhibited by conventional supported transition metal catalysts. Notable differences include a complete absence of carbon dioxide from the reaction product in all cases, and, in the case of potassium graphite, exclusive confinement of product distribution to C sub 1 --C sub 3 paraffins. In addition, a considerable fraction of the carbon monoxide reactant that is admitted to a fresh catalyst sample becomes irreversibly adsorbed in an unreactive form that may inhibit the overall reaction rate. (ERA citation 02:028281)