Synthesis of nickel catalysts supported on Zr-doped ordered mesoporous Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and their catalytic performance for low-temperature CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> reforming of CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>

A series of Zr-doped ordered mesoporous Al₂O₃ with various Zr contents were synthesized by evaporation-induced self-assembly strategy and the Ni-based catalysts supported on these Al₂O₃ materials were prepared by impregnation method. These catalysts with large specific surface area, big pore volume, uniform pore size possess excellent catalytic performance for the low-temperature carbon dioxide reforming of methane. The activities of these catalysts were tested in carbon dioxide reforming of methane reaction with temperature increasing from 500 to 650?°C and the stabilities of these catalysts were evaluated for long time reaction at 650?°C. It was found that when Zr/(Zr?+?Al) molar ratio?=?0.5%, the Ni/0.5ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalyst showed the highest activity, and exhibited superior stabilization compared to the Ni-based catalyst supported on traditional ordered mesoporous Al₂O₃. The “confinement effect” from mesoporous channels of alumina matrix is helpful to stabilize the Ni nanoparticles. As a promoter, Zr could stabilize the ordered mesoporous framework by reacting with Al₂O₃ to form ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ solid solution. Since ZrO₂ enhances the dissociation of carbon dioxide, more oxygen intermediates are given to remove the carbon formed during the reaction.     

Combined Steam and Carbon Dioxide Reforming of Methane on Ni/MgAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>: Effect of CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Promoter to Catalytic Performance

Abstract  

The catalytic performance during combined steam and carbon dioxide reforming of methane (SCR) was investigated on Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalyst promoted with CeO₂. The SCR catalyst was prepared by co-impregnation method using nickel and cerium metal precursors on hydrotalcite-like MgAl₂O₄ support. In terms of catalytic activity and stability, CeO₂-promoted Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalyst is superior to Ni–CeO₂/Al₂O₃ or Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalysts because of high resistance to coke formation and suppressed aggregation of nickel particles. The role of CeO₂ on Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalyst was elucidated by carrying out the various characterization methods in the viewpoint of the aggregation of nickel particles and metal-support interactions. The observed superior catalytic performance on CeO₂-promoted Ni/MgAl₂O₄ catalyst at the weight ratio of MgO/Al₂O₃ of 3/7 seems to be closely related to high dispersion and low aggregation of active metals due to their strong interaction with the MgAl₂O₄ support and the adjacent contact of Ni and CeO₂ species. The CeO₂ promoter also plays an important role to suppress particle aggregation by forming an appropriate interaction of NiO–CeO₂ as well as Ni–MgAl₂O₄ with the concomitant enhancement of mobile oxygen content.     

Direct Synthesis of Dimethyl Carbonate from Methanol and Carbon Dioxide over Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Ce<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> Catalysts: Effect of Acidity and Basicity of the Catalysts

Abstract  

Ce _X Zr_1−X O₂ catalysts with different cerium content (X) (X = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0) were prepared by a sol–gel method for use in the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from methanol and carbon dioxide. Among these catalysts, Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ was found to show the best catalytic performance. In order to enhance the acidity and basicity of Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ catalyst, Ga₂O₃ was supported on Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ (XGa₂O₃/Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ (X = 1, 5, 10, and 15)) by an incipient wetness impregnation method with a variation of Ga₂O₃ content (X, wt%). Effect of acidity and basicity of Ga₂O₃/Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ on the catalytic performance in the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate was investigated using NH₃-TPD and CO₂-TPD experiments. Experimental results revealed that both acidity and basicity of the catalysts played a key role in determining the catalytic performance in the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from methanol and carbon dioxide. Large acidity and basicity of the catalyst facilitated the formation of dimethyl carbonate. The amount of dimethyl carbonate produced over XGa₂O₃/Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ catalysts increased with increasing both acidity and basicity of the catalysts. Among the catalysts tested, 5Ga₂O₃/Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂, which retained the largest acidity and basicity, showed the best catalytic performance in the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from methanol and carbon dioxide.     

Effects of La<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> on ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> supported Ni catalysts for autothermal reforming of CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The effect of La₂O₃ content in Ni-La-Zr catalyst was investigated for the autothermal reforming (ATR) of CH₄. The catalysts were prepared by the coprecipitation method and had a mesoporous structure. Temperature programmed reduction (TPR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that a strong interaction developed between Ni species and the support with the addition of La₂O₃. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and H₂-pulse chemisorption showed that the addition of La₂O₃ led to well dispersed NiO molecules on the support. Ni-La-Zr catalysts gave much higher CH₄ conversion than Ni-Zr catalyst. The Ni-La-Zr containing 3.2 wt% La₂O₃ showed the highest activity. The optimum conditions for maximal CH₄ conversion and H₂ yield were H₂O/CH₄=1.00, O₂/CH₄=0.75. Under these conditions, CH₄ conversion of 83% was achieved at 700 °C. In excess O₂ (O₂/CH₄>0.88), the catalytic activity was decreased due to sintering of the catalyst.     

Performance of Ni catalyst supported on La-hexaaluminate in CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> reforming of CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>

CO₂ reforming of CH₄ was performed using Ni catalyst supported on La-hexaaluminate which has been an well-known material for high-temperature combustion. La-hexaaluminate was synthesized by sol-gel method at various conditions where different amount of Ni (5–20 wt%) was loaded. Ni/La-hexaaluminate experienced 72 h reaction and its catalytic activity was compared with that of Ni/Al₂O₃, Ni/La-hexaaluminate shows higher reforming activity and resistance to coke deposition compared to the Ni/Al₂O₃ model catalyst. Coke deposition increases proportionally to Ni content. Consequently, Ni(5)/La-hexaaluminate(700) is the most efficient catalyst among various Ni/La-hexaaluminate catalysts regarding the cost of Ni in Ni(X)/La-hexaaluminate catalysts. BET surface area, XRD, EA, TGA and TPO were performed for surface characterization. This work was presented at the 6 ^th Korea-China Workshop on Clean Energy Technology held at Busan, Korea, July 4–7, 2006.     

Ni/La<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalyst for hydrogen production from steam reforming of acetic acid as a model compound of bio-oil

Hydrogen production from steam reforming of acetic acid was investigated over Ni/La₂O₃-ZrO₂ catalyst. A series of Ni/La₂O₃-ZrO₂ catalysts were synthesized by sol-gel method coupled with wet impregnation, which was characterized by XRD, BET, TEM, EDS, TG, SEM and TPR. Catalytic activity of Ni/La₂O₃-ZrO₂ was evaluated by steam reforming of acetic acid at the temperature range of 550-750 °C. The tetragonal phase La_0.1Zr_0.9O_1.95 is formed through the doping of La₂O₃ into the ZrO₂ lattice and nickel species are highly dispersed on the support with high specific surface area. H₂ yield and CO₂ yield of Ni/La₂O₃-ZrO₂ catalyst with 15%wt Ni reaches 89.27% and 80.41% at 600 °C, respectively, which is attributed to high BET surface area and sufficient Ni active sites in strong interaction with the support. 15%wt Ni supported on La₂O₃-ZrO₂ catalyst maintains relatively stable catalytic activities for a period of 20 h.     

Direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from methanol and carbon dioxide over transition metal oxide/Ce<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalysts: Effect of acidity and basicity of the catalysts

Ce _X Zr_1−X O₂ catalysts with different cerium content (X) (X=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0) were prepared by a sol-gel method. Among these catalysts, Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ showed the best catalytic performance in the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from methanol and carbon dioxide. To see the effect of acidity and basicity of transition metal oxide/Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ catalysts on the catalytic performance in the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate, MO/Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ (MO=Ga₂O₃, La₂O₃, Ni₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, Y₂O₃, Co₃O₄, and Al₂O₃) catalysts were prepared by an incipient wetness impregnation method. NH₃-TPD and CO₂-TPD experiments were carried out to measure acidity and basicity of the supported catalysts, respectively. Experimental results revealed that both acidity and basicity of the catalysts played a key role in determining the catalytic performance in the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from methanol and carbon dioxide. The amount of dimethyl carbonate produced over MO/Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ catalysts increased with increasing both acidity and basicity of the catalysts. Among the catalysts tested, Ga₂O₃/Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂, which had the largest acidity and basicity, exhibited the best catalytic performance in the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from methanol and carbon dioxide.     

Synthesis and catalytic properties of nanostructured Me/Mn<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Ce<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> in the oxidation of carbon monoxide

The nanostructured solid solution Mn_0.5Ce_0.5O₂ is synthesized to develop effective noble metal free catalysts for the detoxification of technogenic contaminants. Its chemical and phase compositions and textural characteristics are studied by differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, laser mass spectrometry, and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption. The activity of the solid solution in the oxidation of carbon monoxide is determined by the flow method within a temperature range of 20–300°C at atmospheric pressure, a gas hourly space velocity of 1800 h⁻¹ for the following gas mixture composition, vol %: CO, 3.6; O₂, 8.0; N₂, balance. The activity of Mn_0.5Ce_0.5O₂ is shown to be appreciably higher than the activity of MnO_x and CeO₂, and the temperature of 100% conversion is 92, 120, and 210°C, respectively. Using the solid solution as a support and the technique of impregnation, we synthesize the nanostructured catalysts Cu/Mn_0.5Ce_0.5O₂ and Ag/Mn_0.5Ce_0.5O₂, which manifest high activity in the oxidation of carbon monoxide: the temperature of 100% conversion is 77 and 85°C, respectively. The new catalysts could be of interest for the purification of industrial and motor vehicle wastes.     

Effect of carbon deposition over carbonaceous catalysts on CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> decomposition and CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>-CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> reforming

An investigation was made using a continuous fixed bed reactor to understand the influence of carbon deposition obtained under different conditions on CH₄-CO₂ reforming. Thermogravimetry (TG) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to study the characteristics of carbon deposition. It was found that the carbonaceous catalyst is an efficient catalyst in methane decomposition and CH₄-CO₂ reforming. The trend of methane decomposition at lower temperatures is similar to that at higher temperatures. The methane conversion is high during the initial of stage of the reaction, and then decays to a relatively fixed value after about 30 min. With temperature increase, the methane decomposition rate increases quickly. The reaction temperature has significant influence on methane decomposition, whereas the carbon deposition does not affect methane decomposition significantly. Different types of carbon deposition were formed at different methane decomposition reaction temperatures. The carbon deposition Type I generated at 900°C has a minor effect on CH₄-CO₂ reforming and it easily reacts with carbon dioxide, but the carbon deposition Type II generated at 1000°C and 1100°C clearly inhibits CH₄-CO₂ reforming and it is difficult to react with carbon dioxide. The results of XRD showed that some graphite structures were found in carbon deposition Type II.     

Influence of lanthanum carbonate phases of Ni/La0.98Sr0.02O x catalyst over the oxidative transformation of methane

This work combines the advantages of ~2 mol.% Sr/La₂O₃ (i.e. La_0.98Sr_0.02O _x ) for OCM (oxidative coupling of methane) with well-dispersed nickel over metal oxides for POM (partial oxidation of methane) to efficiently transform methane to desirable products. The catalysts were prepared by sequential impregnation and characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, temperature-programmed reduction, temperature-programmed decomposition of carbonates and BET surface area measurements. The aim of this work is to find out not only the effect of the catalyst compositions over the formation and growth of carbonate phases, but also their influence over the transformation oxidative of methane. The La_0.98Sr_0.02O _x – supported Ni catalyst precursors show a strong nickel oxide–lanthana interaction, involving anionic vacancies or structural defects that induce the formation of island-like structure of La_2-x Sr _x NiO₄-type mixed oxide for 2 mol.% Ni/La_0.98Sr_0.02O _x . Higher nickel composition facilitates the formation of LaNiO₃. Surface lanthanum hydroxycarbonate formation is probably associated with a conjugated effect between lanthanum oxide and oxidized nickel phases. For high-nickel amount containing catalysts, carbonate-enriched La₂(OH)_6-2x (CO₃) _x as intermediate phase in methane reforming reaction is proposed. For low nickel composition (i.e. 2%), partial oxidation of methane could follow predominantly the pyrolysis mechanism. In which, carbon monoxide is the direct product and carbon dioxide is subsequently formed from carbon monoxide oxidation.     

Effect of support on the conversion of methane to synthesis gas over supported iridium catalysts

A partial oxidation of methane was carried out using iridium catalysts supported on several metal oxides. The productivity of the synthesis gas from methane was strongly affected by the choice of support oxides for the catalysts. The synthesis gas production proceeded basically via a two-step reaction consisting of methane combustion to give H₂O and CO₂, followed by the reforming of methane from CO₂ and steam. Although the combustion and the reforming of methane from steam did not depend upon the catalyst support, a large variation in the catalytic activity for the reforming of methane from CO₂ was observed over Ir catalysts with different supports. The support activity order in the reforming of methane from CO₂ with iridium catalysts was as follows: TiO₂≧ZrO₂≧Y₂O₃>La₂O₃>MgO≧Al₂O₃>SiO₂. The same order was observed in the synthesis gas production from the partial oxidation of methane. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Partial oxidation of methane over Ni/Ce-Zro<Subscript>2</Subscript>/θ-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The catalytic behavior of Ni/Ce-ZrO₂/θ-Al₂O₃ has been investigated in the partial oxidation of methane (POM) toward synthesis gas. The catalyst showed high activity and selectivity due to the heat treatment of the support and the promotional effect of Ce-ZrO₂. It is suggested that the support was stabilized through the heat treatment of γ-Al₂O₃ and the precoating of Ce-ZrO₂, on which a protective layer was formed. Moreover, sintering of the catalyst was greatly suppressed for 24 h test. Pulse experiments of CH₄, O₂ and/or CH₄/O₂ with a molar ratio of 2 were systematically performed over fresh, partially reduced and well reduced catalyst. Results indicate that CH₄ can be partially oxidized to CO and H₂ by the reactive oxygen in complex NiO_x species existing over the fresh catalyst. It is demonstrated that POM over Ni/Ce-ZrO₂/θ-Al₂O₃ follows the pyrolysis mechanism, and both the carbonaceous materials from CH₄ decomposition over metallic nickel and the reactive oxygen species present on NiO_x and Ce-ZrO₂ are intermediates for POM.     

Pd/γ-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts on cellular supports for VOC vapor neutralization

The results from investigating the influence of temperature, concentration, and flow rate on the catalytic oxidation of vapors of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of Pd/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst on cellular supports are presented. The activity of Pd/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts on ceramic and metal monolith supports with a cellular structure during the catalytic neutralization of VOC (ethanol, ethyl acetate) vapors under laboratory conditions was determined, and the most stable catalyst for the preliminary study of a large batch was chosen. A pilot unit was created to test a large batch of cellular monolith catalyst in neutralizing VOC vapors under conditions of flexographic production. It was established that a high rate of conversion (> 99 %) was achieved for VOC concentrations of 0.5 g/m³ at space velocities of up to ∼10⁴ h⁻¹, and for VOC concentrations of 5.0 g/m³ at space velocities of up to ∼5 × 10⁵ h⁻¹. The change in the activity of the catalysts on metal (nickel alloyed by aluminum) and ceramic cellular supports in service was investigated. After 300–500 min of operation, virtually complete deactivation of catalyst on a metal support was observed, accompanied by the formation of nickel oxide and acetate. Pilot unit tests with catalyst on cellular supports having a volume of 14.5 l in neutralizing the ventilation exhausts of flexographic production confirmed the possibility of more than 90% conversion at VOC concentrations of ∼0.1 g/m³ and more than 97% at VOC concentrations of over 1 g/m³. A consistently high conversion of VOC was observed during a 100 h test of the pilot unit. A system for recovering the heat released during VOC oxidation lowers the operating costs of the pilot unit.     

Renewable hydrogen production by steam reforming of glycerol over Ni/CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> catalyst prepared by precipitation deposition method

Catalytic steam reforming of glycerol for renewable hydrogen generation has been investigated over Ni/CeO₂ catalyst prepared by precipitation-deposition method. The fresh and used catalysts were characterized by surface area and pore size analysis, X-ray diffraction patterns and scanning electron micrographs. Reforming experiments were carried out in a fixed bed tubular reactor at different temperatures (400–700 °C), glycerol concentrations (5–15 wt%) and contact times. (W/F _Ao =2−80 g-cat·h/mol of glycerol). The investigation revealed that the Ni/CeO₂ catalyst prepared by the above method is effective to produce high yield of hydrogen up to 5.6 (moles of H₂/moles of glycerol fed). The formation of methane and carbon monoxide was greatly reduced over this catalyst. Significantly low amount of coke deposition was observed on the CeO₂ supported catalyst. From the kinetic analysis, the activation energy for the steam reforming of glycerol was found to be 36.5 kJ/mol.     

Designing a structured catalyst for selective reduction of O<Subscript>2</Subscript> by hydrogen in the presence of NO

The influence of the promoter (Pd) modifying additives of oxides of rare-earth (La₂O₃, CeO₂) and transition (NiO, CuO) metal oxides on the catalytic activity of Co₃O₄/cordierite in reactions of O₂ and NO reduction by hydrogen was studied. Introducing Pd and rare-earth metal oxides into the composition of cobalt oxide catalyst results in an increase in its activity in H₂ + 1/2O₂ → H₂O, H₂ + NO → 1/2N₂ + H₂O reactions and an increase in selectivity upon oxygen reduction by hydrogen in the presence of nitric oxide, due possibly to a decrease in the strength of oxygen bounds with the surface and the formation of low-temperature forms of oxygen, which is not typical of unpromoted cobalt oxide catalyst. A structured Pd-Co₃O₄-La₂O₃/cordierite catalyst was developed that surpasses the commercial granulated silver-manganese catalyst used in industry to purify the technological gases used in the production of hydroxylamine sulfate of oxygen impurities with reference to activity and selectivity (in the process of oxygen reduction in the presence of nitric oxide), and to thermal stability.     

Effect of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> modification of H<Subscript>3</Subscript>PW<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>@carbon for m-xylene oxidation to isophthalic acid

The production of isophthalic acid (IPA) from the oxidation of m-xylene (MX) by air is catalyzed by H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ (HPW) loaded on carbon and cobalt. We used H₂O₂ solution to oxidize the carbon to improve the catalytic activity of HPW@C catalyst. Experiments reveal that the best carbon sample is obtained by calcining the carbon at 700 °C for 4 h after being impregnated in the 3.75% H₂O₂ solution at 40 °C for 7 h. The surface characterization displays that the H₂O₂ modification leads to an increase in the acidic groups and a reduction in the basic groups on the carbon surface. The catalytic capability of the HPW@C catalyst depends on its surface chemical characteristics and physical property. The acidic groups play a more important part than the physical property. The MX conversion after 180 min reaction acquired by the HPW@C catalysts prepared from the activated carbon modified in the best condition is 3.81% over that obtained by the HPW@C catalysts prepared from the original carbon. The IPA produced by the former is 46.2% over that produced by the latter.     

A Novel Process for Renewable Methane Production: Combining Direct Air Capture by K<Subscript>2</Subscript>CO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Alumina Sorbent with CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Methanation over Ru/Alumina Catalyst

CO₂ methanation over supported ruthenium catalysts is considered to be a promising process for carbon capture and utilization and power-to-gas technologies. In this work 4% Ru/Al₂O₃ catalyst was synthesized by impregnation of the support with an aqueous solution of Ru(OH)Cl₃, followed by liquid phase reduction using NaBH₄ and gas phase activation using the stoichiometric mixture of CO₂ and H₂ (1:4). Kinetics of CO₂ methanation reaction over the Ru/Al₂O₃ catalyst was studied in a perfectly mixed reactor at temperatures from 200 to 300 °C. The results showed that dependence of the specific activity of the catalyst on temperature followed the Arrhenius law. CO₂ conversion to methane was shown to depend on temperature, water vapor pressure and CO₂:H₂ ratio in the gas mixture. The Ru/Al₂O₃ catalyst was later tested together with the K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃ composite sorbent in the novel direct air capture/methanation process, which combined in one reactor consecutive steps of CO₂ adsorption from the air at room temperature and CO₂ desorption/methanation in H₂ flow at 300 or 350 °C. It was demonstrated that the amount of desorbed CO₂ was practically the same for both temperatures used, while the total conversion of carbon dioxide to methane was 94.2–94.6% at 300 °C and 96.1–96.5% at 350 °C.     

Synergism Between Pt/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and Au/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in the Low Temperature Oxidation of Propene

CO impedes the low temperature (<170 °C) oxidation of C₃H₆ on supported Pt. Supported Au catalysts are very effective in the removal of CO by oxidation, although it has little propene oxidation activity under these conditions. Addition of Au/TiO₂ to Pt/Al₂O₃ either as a physical mixture or as a pre-catalyst removes the CO and lowers the light-off temperature (T ₅₀) for C₃H₆ oxidation compared with Pt catalyst alone by ~54 °C in a feed of 1% CO, 400 ppm C₃H₆, 14% O₂, 2% H₂O.     

Influences of A- or B-site substitution on the activity of LaMnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> perovskite-type catalyst in oxidation of diesel particle

LaMnO₃ was partially substituted at A- or B-site by Sol-Gel method and characterized by XRD, SEM and BET. Perovskite oxides were formed in all substitutions. The catalytic activities of substituted catalysts on carbon black oxidation were measured by Temperature Programming Oxidation (TPO). Experimental results showed that all substitutions increased the catalytic activity of LaMnO₃, and La_0.8Cs_0.2MnO₃ showed the highest catalytic activity. Under tight contact, the activity enhancement of different substitutions decreased in the order Cs>K>V>Ce>Co>Cu>Fe. Dynamic analysis showed that partial substitutions increased the pre-exponential factor and the catalytic activity by increasing the oxygen vacancy on the catalyst surface. The active components on the surfaces of La_0.8Ce_0.2MnO₃ and LaMn_0.8V_0.2O₃ included CeO₂ and LaVO₄, which changed the apparent activities and dynamic parameters of these two catalysts. This work was presented at the 6 ^th Korea-China Workshop on Clean Energy Technology held at Busan, Korea, July 4–7, 2006.     

Characterization of Fischer–Tropsch Cobalt-Based Catalytic Systems (Co/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and Co/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>) by X-ray Diffraction and Magnetic Measurements

Results of the characterization of six Co-based Fischer–Tropsch (FT) catalysts, with 15% Co loading and supported on SiO₂ and Al₂O₃, are presented. Room temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature and magnetic field (H) variation of the magnetization (M), and low-temperature (5 K) electron magnetic resonance (EMR) are used for determining the electronic states (Co⁰, CoO, Co₃O₄, Co²⁺) of cobalt. Performance of these catalysts for FT synthesis is tested at reaction temperature of 240 °C and pressure of 20 bars. Under these conditions, 15% Co/SiO₂ catalysts yield higher CO and syngas conversions with higher methane selectivity than 15% Co/Al₂O₃ catalysts. Conversely the Al₂O₃ supported catalysts gave much higher selectivity towards olefins than Co/SiO₂. These results yield the correlation that the presence of Co₃O₄ yield higher methane selectivity whereas the presence of Co²⁺ species yields lower methane selectivity but higher olefin selectivity. The activities and selectivities are found to be stable for 55 h on-stream.