On the Way to a More Open Porous Network of a Co–Re/Al2O3 Catalyst for Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis: Pore Size and Particle Size Effects on Its Performance

CATEGORY: FISCHER-TROPSCH 
On the Way to a More Open Porous Network of a Co–Re/Al2O3 Catalyst for Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis: Pore Size and Particle Size Effects on Its Performance

Type	Journal Article
Author	David Merino
Author	Iñigo Pérez-Miqueo
URL	http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11244-015-0436-3
Pages	1-12
Publication	Topics in Catalysis
Date	2015/08/06
Abstract	Researchers employed five distinct γ-alumina supports, one commercial and four prepared in a macro-mesoporosity range of 7–1000 nm using a variety of preparation methods. They used a simple method to obtain a macro-mesoporous alumina support by modification of an initial commercial mesoporous alumina with a pore generating agent. They employed supports to prepare Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalysts. Catalytic results revealed that with small catalyst PS, the behavior is similar among them. With large catalyst PS, C5+ selectivity considerably decreased and CH4 selectivity increased for all catalysts due to diffusional restrictions. However, the effect of diffusion limitations of reactants and products through catalyst pores were lower for catalysts with a higher mesoporosity, and much lower for the catalyst obtained when the support was modified to add macroporosity between 100 and 1000 nm. The macropores improve the transport of reactants and heavy hydrocarbons produced between the gaseous phase and the active sites. The result is better performance of the catalyst, reducing the undesirable effects of a diffusion-limited regime.