Liquid phase Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on manganese-promoted ultrafine particles of iron used as a catalyst

The catalytic properties of manganese-promoted ultrafine particles (UFP) of iron for liquid phase Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis have been investigated. Manganese-promoted iron UFP catalysts were prepared by physically mixing iron UFP and manganese oxide or by liquid phase deposition of manganese on iron UFP. These catalysts were highly selective for alkene production. In particular, the selectivity to lower alkenes over catalysts prepared by liquid phase manganese deposition was enhanced by the addition of extremely small amounts of manganese (several percent of iron). These catalysts gave very high yields of lower alkenes.