Fe–Co/alumina catalysts for production of high calorific synthetic natural gas: Effect of Fe/Co ratio

• Published in: Journal of industrial and engineering chemistry (Seoul, Korea) Vol. 66; pp. 396 - 403
• Main Authors: Lee, Ji-Yong, Jun, Ki-Won, Kang, Seok Chang, Zhang, Chundong, Kwak, Geunjae, Park, Jin-Mo, Kim, Hyung-Sik
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 25.10.2018; 한국공업화학회
• Subjects: Co-precipitation; Fe–Co/alumina catalysts; Fischer–Tropsch synthesis; High calorific synthetic natural gas; Methanation; 화학공학; Methanation; High calorific synthetic natural gas; Co-precipitation; Fe–Co/alumina catalysts; Fischer–Tropsch synthesis
• ISSN: 1226-086X; 1876-794X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2018.06.006

[Display omitted] The effect of the Fe/Co ratio on the catalytic performance of Fe–Co/alumina catalysts has been investigated in the production of high-calorific synthetic natural gas (SNG) from syngas. Fe–Co/alumina catalysts with different Fe/Co molar ratios were synthesized by the co-precipitation method and characterized using XRD, BET, H2-TPR, Raman, XAS, and XPS. At higher Fe/Co ratios (≥2), the calcined Fe–Co/alumina catalysts were mainly composed of α-Fe2O3 and CoFe2O4. The presence of Co improved the dispersion of iron oxides and the catalyst reducibility under H2 atmosphere. The Fe–Co/alumina catalysts partially formed FeCo alloys when they were reduced at 350°C under H2. The formation of FeCo alloy destabilized the iron carbide phase and suppressed the carbon chain growth. These Fe–Co/alumina catalysts were efficient in producing high calorific SNG with a heating value of over 60MJ/Nm3.