(544bz) The Use of Iron Ore As Fischer Tropsch Synthesis Catalyst

Catalyst is a major cost in the OPEX as it needs to be replaced before the end of its life. The expensive catalyst in a MEGA plant may only add a limited portion in the cost for manufacturing one barrel of product; but it is decisive for the economy of a small scale waste to energy project. Therefore an expensive catalyst with superior performance may not be the best option for a project in this scale and a robust catalyst with low cost is more welcome. In this study, iron ore was used as a Fischer Tropsch Synthesis catalyst to produce hydrocarbons in a Packed Bed Reactor. The catalyst was analysed using Temperature Programmed Reduction (TPR) to evaluate the reduction temperature and Branauer-Emmet Teller (BET) was used to determine the total surface area, pore volume and average pore size of the catalyst. 1g of the catalyst was loaded into a Packed Bed Reactor and it was reduced at Temperature of 250ºC, Pressure of 2 bar and Flow-rate of 20ml/min using hydrogen for 24 hours. Thereafter, the catalyst was then tested for activity at 250ºC, 20 bar and 60ml/min of syngas. The gas products from the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis reaction were analysed on the online gas chromatography and the product distribution, activity and selectivity were measured. Wax and Oil (liquid products) were collected from the traps and analysed on the off-line gas chromatography. It was proven that Iron ore can be used as a Fischer Tropsch Synthesis catalyst from the gas and liquid products analysed.