Cobalt supported on CNTs-covered γ- and nano-structured alumina catalysts utilized for wax selective Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

Abstract

Cobalt supported on carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-covered alumina has been recently developed and successfully utilized as a catalyst in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS). Problems associated with shaping of Co/CNTs into extrudates or pellets as well as catalyst attrition rendered these materials unfavorable for industrial applications. In this investigation regular γ- and nano-structured (N-S) alumina as well as CNTs-covered regular γ- and N-S-alumina supports were impregnated by cobalt nitrate solution to make new cobalt-based catalysts which were also promoted by Ru. The catalysts were characterized and tested in a micro reactor to evaluate their applicability in FTS. γ-Al₂O₃ was prepared by calcination of bohemite and N-S-Al₂O₃ was prepared by sol-gel method using aluminum chloride as starting material. Catalyst evaluations indicated that N-S-Al₂O₃ was superior to regular γ-Al₂O₃ and that CNTs-covered alumina supports were favored over non-covered ones in terms of activity and heavy hydrocarbon selectivity. These were justified by porosimetric characteristics of the catalysts and existence of CNTs points of view. CNTs-covered catalysts also showed higher wax selectivity and better resistance to deactivation. Furthermore, TPR analysis indicated that the cobalt aluminate phase, which is responsible for the permanent deactivation of alumina supported Co-based catalysts, did not form on alumina supported Co-based catalysts covered with CNTs due to weaker interactions between cobalt and alumina.