Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis: Effect of Reducing Agent for Aqueous-Phase Synthesis Over Ru Nanoparticle and Supported Ru Catalysts

• Published in: Catalysis letters Vol. 145; no. 3; pp. 893 - 904
• Main Authors: Pendyala, Venkat Ramana Rao, Shafer, Wilson D., Jacobs, Gary, Graham, Uschi M., Khalid, Syed, Davis, Burtron H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.03.2015; Springer Nature B.V; Springer
• Subjects: Carbon dioxide; Catalysis; Catalysts; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Fischer-Tropsch process; Hydrogen; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Nanoparticles; NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY; Organometallic Chemistry; Physical Chemistry; Reducing agents; Ruthenium; Selectivity; Slurries; Zeolites; Supported catalysts; Product selectivity; Activity; Ruthenium nanoparticle; Reducing agent; Aqueous-phase; Fischer–Tropsch synthesis
• ISSN: 1011-372X; 1572-879X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10562-014-1462-7

The effect of the reducing agent on the performance of a ruthenium nanoparticle catalyst was investigated during aqueous-phase Fischer–Tropsch synthesis using a 1 L stirred tank reactor in the batch mode of operation. For the purpose of comparison, the activity and selectivity of NaY zeolite supported Ru catalyst were also studied. NaBH 4 and hydrogen were used as reducing agents in this study, and hydrogen reduced catalysts exhibited higher activities than the NaBH 4 reduced catalysts, because of higher extent of reduction and a relatively lower tendency toward agglomeration of Ru particles. The Ru nanoparticle catalyst displayed higher activities than the NaY zeolite supported Ru catalyst for both reducing agents. NaBH 4 reduced catalysts are less active and the carbon dioxide selectivity is higher than the hydrogen reduced catalysts. Nevertheless, the activity of the supported Ru catalyst (Ru/NaY) was 75 % of that of the Ru nanoparticle catalyst, and has the benefit of easy wax/catalyst slurry separation by filtration. The hydrogen reduced supported Ru catalyst exhibited superior selectivity towards hydrocarbons (higher C 5 + selectivity and lower selectivity to methane) than all other catalysts tested. Graphical Abstract