Moessbauer spectroscopy studies of iron-catalysts used in Fischer-Tropsch (FT) processes. Quarterly technical progress report, April--June, 1994

Moessbauer spectroscopy investigations were carried out on 16 iron-based catalysts during the period under review. A set of 10 samples subjected to different pretreatments and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis were investigated to understand the effect of reduction in different gas atmospheres on the iron phases formed. Another set of 5 catalysts pretreated in CO and subjected to Fischer-Tropsch synthesis using two kinds of wax viz., (a) a low molecular wt. wax and (b) heavy wax were also studied. Although it is difficult to draw any definite conclusions from the data, some plausible trends are noticed: (1) pretreatment of a catalyst in H{sub 2} leads to the formation of {var_epsilon}-carbide; (2) pretreatment of a catalyst in H{sub 2}/CO leads to the formation of {chi}-carbide; (3) reduction of UCI-1185-149-2ND catalyst in CO leads to the formation of {chi}-carbide; and (4) reduction of DOE catalysts in CO leads to the formation of {var_epsilon}-carbide. Data are presented on the phases found in the various catalysts