Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over iron-based catalysts supported on ZSM-5 zeolite for production of hydrocarbons

Iron–nickel, iron-cobalt and iron-manganese catalysts to be used in the Fischer–Tropsch reaction were prepared by co precipitation method and using ZSM-5 zeolite as a support for all catalysts. The formation of long-chain hydrocarbons is attributed to an increased chance of the chain growth owing to a hold-up effect of reaction intermediates, especially l-olefins, which are accumulated inside zeolite pores during the reaction. Hydrocarbon isomers are produced over active sites of zeolite by secondary reactions, which result in a chain shortening of the long-chain hydrocarbons. Characterization of catalysts that supported on ZSM-5 zeolite by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), BET specific surface area and thermal analysis methods such as TGA and DSC showed that ZSM-5 zeolite influenced the catalyst precursor structure and performance of catalyst.