The influence of clay on K2CO3/Co–MoS2 catalyst in the production of higher alcohol fuel

The K2CO3/Co–MoS2/clay catalyst was synthesized and its productivity and selectivity toward higher alcohol synthesis (HAS) fuel were tested at temperature and pressure ranges of 290–320 °C, H2/CO=1.1 syngas, GHSVavg=1800 h−1, and 13 790 kPa, respectively. Highest oxygenates productivity (0.32 kg/kg catalyst/h) was obtained at 310 °C with an oxygenates selectivity of 70%. Under the above conditions, the major oxygenates produced were ethanol, 1-propanol, methanol, and isobutanol, respectively. Increasing the reaction temperature for K2CO3/Co–MoS2/clay catalyst led to a decreasing trend in the selectivity of oxygenates. However, at higher temperatures, the clay-combined catalyst produced more hydrocarbons and CO2. The results indicated that clay had a significant impact on higher alcohol synthesis when K2CO3 was incorporated into the Co–MoS2, and acted as a modifier of the catalyst serving to increase the activity and selectivity to higher alcohol fuel in the temperature range of 290–310 °C.