GTL Fuel Synthesis: Product Distribution and Generalised Kinetic Modelling for Individual Hydrocarbon Species

  • Mr Cyrus Cooper, The University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Dr Tuan-Huy Nguyen, The University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Mr Feraih Alenazey, The University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Dr Yong-Joon Lee, The University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Dr Kelfin Hardiman, The University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Dr Frank Lucien, The University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Prof Adesoji Adesina, The University of New South Wales, Australia

    • Increasing crude oil prices and a global awareness of depleting resources has encouraged research into alternative sources of energy. The production of clean fuels via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is one of the most promising gas-to-liquids (GTL) processes. In this study we have undertaken a detailed performance evaluation of a new bimetallic Co-Mo catalyst in a mechanically agitated, 2L Parr slurry reactor. Catalyst was prepared by stepwise impregnation of Mo followed by Co on alumina support. The single oxide catalysts, Co/Al2O3 and Mo/Al2O3 were also prepared as a basis for assessing the bimetallic system. Reaction runs were carried out at 2 MPa and 210-270 oC.

    FT activity appeared to be a strong function of the physicochemical properties and catalyst reducibility. Transient analysis of slurry phase data was obtained by combining on-line gas phase chromatographic results with liquid phase compositions computed from VLE simulation on AspenPlus. Steady-state analysis revealed a product stream with relatively higher olefin content for the bimetallic catalyst compared to traditional monometallic Co catalyst. Using rate data from comparison fixed bed runs, we obtained a quantitative correlation between catalyst performance in the slurry reactor and the packed bed system.

    Detailed mechanistic steps prevalent on the Co-Mo catalyst as well as its monometallic counterparts, are elucidated in the full length paper.