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Effect of Alkali Metal Impurities on Co–Re Catalysts for Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis from Biomass-Derived Syngas

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Abstract

The effect of alkali impurities on Co-based Fischer–Tropsch (FT) catalysts is important for processing biomass-derived synthesis gas containing inorganic ash impurities. The effects of Na, K, Li, and Ca impurities on γ-Al2O3-supported Co–Re powder catalysts were studied at impurity loadings between 25 and 1,000 ppm. Impurity addition did not have any effect on H2 chemisorption, but the catalyst activity decreased during FT synthesis experiments. The impurities were also found to slightly increase the reduction temperatures of Co. Carbon selectivities to CH4 decreased with increasing impurity loading, while CO2 and C5+ hydrocarbon selectivities increased. Catalyst behavior was attributed mostly to electronic effects from the alkali addition, leading to decreased surface H concentrations and increased CO adsorption and dissociation.

Graphical Abstract

Site-time yield (STY) as a function of metal impurity loading at constant conversion of CO.

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Acknowledgments

This material is based upon work supported under a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Support was also received from the Research Council of Norway and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Statoil appreciate contribution from the InGAP project. Statoil is acknowledged for providing the standard catalysts.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, 421 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Christine M. Balonek & Lanny D. Schmidt

  2. Statoil R&D Rotvoll, Postuttak, 7005, Trondheim, Norway

    Erling Rytter

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491, Trondheim, Norway

    Andreas H. Lillebø, Shreyas Rane & Anders Holmen

Authors
  1. Christine M. Balonek
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  2. Andreas H. Lillebø
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  3. Shreyas Rane
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  4. Erling Rytter
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  5. Lanny D. Schmidt
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  6. Anders Holmen
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Correspondence to Anders Holmen.

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Balonek, C.M., Lillebø, A.H., Rane, S. et al. Effect of Alkali Metal Impurities on Co–Re Catalysts for Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis from Biomass-Derived Syngas. Catal Lett 138, 8–13 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10562-010-0366-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10562-010-0366-4

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