Comparing a cobalt-based catalyst with iron-based catalysts for the Fischer-Tropsch XTL-process operating at high conversion

摘要

The XTL-process is a capital-intensive process. Novel process configurations need to be explored to increase the economic viability of this process. This is typically performed using the known dependencies of the catalyst as a function of the targeted process conditions. However, new process conditions may require catalysts with different characteristics compared to those currently utilised. Here, a set of cobalt- and iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalysts are evaluated for their suitability in the application of a single-pass XTL-process operating at high conversion of synthesis gas. It is shown that cobalt-based catalysts of a suitable activity may be preferred over iron-based catalysts. The higher selectivity for methane for cobalt-based catalysts is offset by a lower selectivity for C-2-C-4 resulting in a favourable C5+-selectivity.