Fischer–Tropsch synthesis on cobalt–manganese nanocatalyst: studies on rate equations and operation conditions

Abstract

In this research, an active Co–Mn/TiO2 catalyst was prepared by co-precipitation method for synthesis of light olefins in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. After studying the effects of using optimized operating conditions on catalyst performance, the kinetic of experimental study was performed in a differential fixed-bed micro reactor. The effect of a range of operating variables such as the pressure, temperature, and H2/CO molar feed ratio on the catalytic performance of precipitated catalyst were investigated. It was found that the best operating conditions are H2/CO = 2/1, T = 270 °C, and P = 3 bar. Power-law equations have been fitted with experimental data in terms of the hydrogen and carbon monoxide partial pressure for the CO conversion rate and production rates for each product. The activation energies for the carbon monoxide conversion and methane production were determined to be 30.71 and 42.37 kJ/mol, respectively.