(544cp) Iron Supported on Clinoptilolite (natural zeolites) As a Low-Temperature Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis Catalyst

A fundamental difference exist between commercial supports such as silica and alumina with natural zeolites. Zeolites have been predicted to be promising for low-temperature Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (LTFTS) targeting liquid fuel production as well as chemical feedstock. Synthesis of a highly active catalyst has been reported by loading of iron on clinoptilolite (type of a zeolite found in South Africa) through wet impregnation method. The prepared catalysts were characterized by XRF, BET surface area analyzer, XRD, FTIR and SEM. The catalyst was then loaded into the reactor and reduced with syngas prior to FTS. The effects of pressure (2 – 20 bars) and reaction temperature (473.15- 573.15 K) were investigated in a fixed bed reactor. It was found that the magnitude in the product distribution of the gaseous phase as well as in the liquid phase were of negligible difference from those of classical straight‐chain FTS products and more olefins were produced owing to the shape selectivity of the zeolites. This finding may permit the development of new effective support materials, which are cost effective for clean fuel production via FTS process.