CO2-Based Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Toward Aviation Fuel Components Using a Na-Promoted Fe Catalyst

Abstract

The CO₂-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis toward liquid hydrocarbons was investigated using a Na-promoted Fe catalyst recently engineered for a high carbon chain growth. As a result of a systematic variation of operation parameters, it was shown that a maximal yield of liquid hydrocarbons (13 wt %) with a high chain growth probability (0.75) was achieved at a temperature of 350 °C and a molar H₂/CO₂ ratio of 3. High-molecular products such as waxes were not formed. The required high reaction temperature was associated with the endothermic reverse water gas shift, which provides CO as reactive intermediate. Moreover, it was found that 49 wt % of the liquid hydrocarbons met the boiling curve specifications of aviation turbine fuel, while the remaining organic liquid might be useful as naphtha.