Conversion of syngas to fuels and chemicals

Abstract

This chapter examines the reaction pathways and the selectivity of the catalysts for the conversion of syngas to liquid hydrocarbons and ethanol fuels. Rh is by far the most active catalyst for ethanol synthesis. Co- and Fe-based catalysts exhibit excellent activity for hydrocarbon fuel synthesis from high H2/CO and low H2/CO ratio syngas, respectively. Regardless of the differences in the catalyst selectivity, all of these CO hydrogenation catalysts produce methane as one of the major products. So far, no approaches are effective in suppressing CH4 formation. Development of a cost-effective liquid-fuel process from syngas with a low net fuel cycle CO2 emission requires consideration of (1) the overall system, including the source of raw materials and by-products and (2) analysis of carbon footprint of each step from raw materials to the desired products and undesired by-products.