The effect of time on stream and feed composition on the selectivity of a cobalt fischer—Tropsch catalyst

The Taylor–Wojciechowski formulation of Fischer Tropsch product distributions has been used to study the effect of time on stream and of feed composition on the parameters which arise in the T–W treatment. An experimental setup which allows the required evaluation of product yields is also described. The T–W formulation was found to give an excellent fit to data obtained using a cobalt-on-kieselguhr catalyst. Since the ratios of the various specific rates of parallel synthesis reactions were found to be different functions of the H₂/CO ratio in the reactor, we conclude that propagation, branching and termination reactions are not governed by the same kinetics.