Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over SiO2, ZnO and MnO supported cobalt catalysts

Silica is well known as a support for cobalt supported Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. Silica has a high surface area with an amorphous structure that promotes dispersion of the active cobalt phase over the support surface. This dispersion is vital in terms of catalyst performance and derives from the strength of interaction between the cobalt and the support. However, the stronger the metal support interaction, the greater is the loss of active cobalt through formation of cobalt support species that are hard to reduce. Consequently ZnO and MnO were evaluated in comparison to Si02 as supports for cobalt supported Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. The aim of the study was to characterise the interaction between cobalt and the three supports (Si02, ZnO and MnO) in terms of the cobalt reducibility as visualised using TPR, exposed cobalt surface area and cobalt dispersion as evaluated using hydrogen chemisorption, and catalytic performance under Fischer-Tropsch synthesis conditions.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Chemical Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

1999

Author dc:creator

• Walsh, Richard

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Van Steen, Eric

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/17953

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/17953