Increasing the selectivity of the Fischer Tropsch process by periodic operation

摘要

The Fischer Tropsch synthesis converts synthesis gas to hydrocarbons. An inherent limitation of the reaction mechanism is the very wide product distribution. In this work the possibilities for narrowing this distribution by periodic operation are examined using a model based approach. The basic idea is to switch periodically between two feed streams with different feed compositions. It was found that the diesel fraction could be increased with 20%. Future research will have to verify this experimentally. Also some of the implications of this periodic operation on the rest of the process are presented.