Composition modulation of the fischer-tropsch synthesis over a supported cobalt catalyst

Different cycling strategies are explored to see if carbon chain growth can be enhanced and methane formation suppressed. Of the strategies considered, bang-bang cycling between H₂ and CO feeds substantially increased the consumption of CO and H₂, but the formation of higher hydrocarbons and olefins was reduced. The best strategy for longer chain hydrocarbons suitable for jet or diesel fuels was found to be cycling between syngas mixtures. None of the cycling strategies was able to produce C₈₊ or low-molar mass olefin yields that matched yields found in steady-state operation.