A comparison of cobalt and iron based slurry phase Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

This article provides a comparison between cobalt and iron catalysts for use in the slurry phase Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. The themes covered include the typical catalyst preparation methods and properties, catalyst deactivation behaviour, reaction kinetic considerations and the effect of metal crystallite size on catalytic performance. Finally, the implications of catalyst choice for application in different reactors are discussed, paying specific attention to the maximum production capacity of a single reactor.