Metallosilicates as an iron support to catalyze Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

Metallosilicates are tunable molecular sieves that have been applied in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis as supports and promoters of cobalt-based catalysts. Here, for the first time, we synthesize iron based catalysts over Ce, Zr, V, and Ti metallosilicates with an nonhydrolytic surfactant assisted sol–gel method adapted from literature. The catalysts were activated at 350 ∘C, 0.4 MPa for 4 h in syngas (H2:CO = 2). The reactor operated at 2 MPa and from 200 ∘C 350 ∘C for 90 h at a feed ratio (H2:CO = 2). The BET surface area of Fe/Zr/SiO2 was highest at (335 m2 g−1) followed by Fe/Ti/SiO2 at 228 m2g −1. Despite its low surface area, (54 m2 g − 1), Fe/Ce/SiO2 converted the most CO (68%)while the Fe/Ti/SiO2, converted the least of the CO at 7%. CO conversion increased with temperature for all catalysts. Product selectivity to C7+ (corresponding to the α = 0.72) exceeded 60% for all catalysts and was highest at 250∘. The C2+ selectivity follows the order V (18%) < Ti (20%) < Zr (52%) < Ce (68%). The catalyst activity was stable up to 120 h on stream.