Strong dependence on pressure of the performance of a Co/SiO2 catalyst in Fischer–Tropsch slurry reactor synthesis

A 10 wt% Co/SiO₂ catalyst was prepared by the incipient wet-impregnation method and tested in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis in a slurry reactor under conditions approaching industrial practice. The catalyst precursor was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XPS and XRD techniques revealed the presence of a crystalline Co₃O₄ spinel-type phase, while-in addition-TEM and XPS analyses pointed to the formation of another amorphous Co₃O₄ spinel phase, both species interacting weakly with the silica substrate. The influence of total pressure on the conversion, selectivity and stability of the catalyst was studied. Upon increasing the overall pressure from 20 to 40 bar, not only activity increased but also the catalyst are not deactivating. These results are explained in terms of an increase of gases solubility in the solvent, this increment of CO concentration in the liquid phase favours carbonyl species formation and the cobalt particles segregation that implies an increase in the metal surface area.