Title:
Nano-Iron Carbide-Catalyzed Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis in Slurry Reactors: New Developments
Author(s):
Abatzoglou, N., Blanchard, J., Gitzhofer, F.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
Nano¬iron carbides (NFeC), produced by a plasma spray technique, are used in Fischer¬Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) 3¬f continuously¬ stirred slurry tank reactors. The NFeC particles are initially encapsulated in a carbon matrix which protects the highly¬ sensitive carbides from air¬borne oxidation. This matrix is partially removed under reductive conditions as a pre¬treatment of subsequent FTS reactions. The reactants simulate the composition of synthesis gas produced by urban biomass gasification. At¬line gas chromatography (GC) of the more volatile products and global liquid product analyses by micro¬distillation provide the necessary data for mass balance, conversion and selectivity estimations. Also, an appropriate algorithm successfully estimates the ratio of FTS extents over Water Gas Shift reactions. The results show that this nano¬powder, characterized by very low internal porosity, produces a liquid fuel that is lighter than other commercial catalysts under similar reaction severities but at a much lower catalyst load. Increased catalyst loading in the slurry above a critical limit leads to higher product water hold¬up and, consequently, higher rates of catalyst deactivation. Conversion, selectivity and the Anderson¬Schulz¬Flory Distribution probability of chain growth "a" were compiled and reported. The attempt to link "a" and liquid product selectivity with the phenomenological model severity factor is reported and discussed.
Keywords:
phenomenological model, reactor, nano-catalyst, Fischer-Tropsch
Topic:
R&D on Processes for Solid, Liquid and Gaseous Fuels from Biomass
Subtopic:
Biofuel production from synthesis gas
Event:
20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
3DO.6.3
Pages:
1571 - 1575
ISBN:
978-88-89407-54-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/20thEUBCE2012-3DO.6.3
Price:
FREE
