Influence of the catalytic support on the industrial Fischer–Tropsch synthetic diesel production

A range of cobalt catalysts supported on alumina, titania, bentonite and the newer silicon carbide was examined for catalytic activity and product selectivity in the Fischer–Tropsch reaction. Experiments were carried out on a bench scale fixed bed reactor. TPR results showed that Co/TiO2 and Co/bentonite were easier to reduce than Co/Al2O3 and Co/SiC based catalyst. Particle size depended on nature of support and specific area. Catalyst Co/SiC provided good catalytic results at temperatures higher than 235 °C whereas Co/bentonite showed high catalytic activity at low temperatures. However, Co/bentonite was found to enhance the formation of oxygenated compounds. Hydrocarbon distribution was influenced by the support. Co/Al2O3 shifted to lighter hydrocarbon than Co/TiO2 and Co/bentonite. Co/SiC yielded to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons products distribution as compared with Co/alumina catalyst.