Fundamental understanding of the controlling factor for the C5+ selectivity for Co/CNF catalysts in Fischer Tropsch synthesis

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is one of the key processes in natural gas conversion. Enormous efforts have been devoted to increase C5+ selectivity. However, a detailed understanding of elementary steps leading to chain growth is still missing. The project a ddresses identification of important factors controlling chain growth in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, through detailed study of steady-state transient kinetic analysis of elementary steps on Co and Co alloy surfaces. The catalyst will be synthesized in a co ntrolled manner, and characterized in detail to determine the properties. Transient responses of C2-C7 will be analyzed and modeled and the kinetic parameters responsible for chain growth will be correlated to the electronic properties of Co and Co alloy surfaces.