ZrO2-SiO2 AEROGEL SUPPORTED COBALT CATALYSTS FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF LONG-CHAIN HYDROCARBON FROM SYNGAS

The effect of support and preparation method on the texture, surface area, extent of reduction, H₂ desorption and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis(FTS) reaction properties of ZrO₂-SiO₂ aerogel supported cobalt-based catalysts was investigated. The results indicate that under the conditions that favor the formation of long-chain hydrocarbons, cobalt catalyzed FTS reaction appears to be structure sensitive. Support effects significantly influence the catalytic behavior. Cobalt catalyst supported on zirconia-coated silica aerogel leads to heavy products from syngas, in which case C5⁺ yield could reach 150g/Nm³(CO+H₂) under the optimal conditions (T=293K, P=2.0MPa, GHSV=500h^-1); cobalt catalyst supported on ZrO₂-SiO₂ mixed aerogel, however, was shown to produce middle distillate and the yield of C5-C₂₀ products for this catalyst is about 120g/NM³ (CO+H₂)