TITLE: Improved Fischer-Tropsch catalysts for indirect coal liquefaction.  Final report.

AUTHOR: R. B. Wilson; G. T. Tong; Y. W. Chan; H. W. Huang; J. G. McCarty.

INST.  AUTHOR: SRI International, Menlo Park, CA.

SPONSOR: Department of Energy, Washington, DC.

LANGUAGE: English

PUB.  TYPE: Technical Report

PUB.  COUNTRY: United States

SOURCE: Department of Energy [DE],  Feb 89,  107p.

NTIS ORDER NO.: DE92010947INW

ABSTRACT:

The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS)reaction is the established technology for the production of liquid fuels from coal by an indirect route using coal-derived syngas (CO + H(sub 2)). Modern FTS catalysts are potassium- and copper-promoted iron preparations. These catalysts exhibit moderate activity with carbon monoxide-rich feedstocks such as the syngas produced by advanced coal gasification processes. However, the relatively large yields of by-product methane and high-molecular-weight hydrocarbon waxes detract from the production of desired liquid products in the C(sub 5)-C(sub 16) range needed for motor and aviation fuel. The goal of this program is to decrease undesirable portions of the FTS hydrocarbon yield by altering the Schultz-Flory polymerization product distribution through design and formulation of improved catalysts. Two approaches were taken: (1) reducing the yield of high-molecular-weight hydrocarbon waxes by using highly dispersed catalysts produced from surface-confined multiatomic clusters on acid supports and (2) suppressing methane production by uniformly pretreating active, selective conventional FTS catalysts with submonolayer levels of sulfur.

REPORT  NUMBER: DOE/PC/80016-T10

CONTRACT  NUMBER: AC22-85PC80016