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Catalytic degradation of aqueous Fischer–Tropsch effluents to fuel gas over oxide‐supported Ru catalysts and hydrothermal stability of catalysts
Author(s) -
Chen Lungang,
Zhu Yulei,
Zheng Hongyan,
Zhang Chenghua,
Li Yongwang
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.3719
Subject(s) - catalysis , aqueous solution , fischer–tropsch process , boehmite , oxide , chemistry , chemical engineering , inorganic chemistry , hydrothermal circulation , materials science , selectivity , organic chemistry , aluminium , engineering
BACKGROUND: The catalytic degradation of aqueous Fischer–Tropsch (FT) effluents to fuel gas over Ru/AC has been investigated. In order to understand the catalytic performance and stability of oxide‐supported Ru catalysts, several oxide supports (titania, zirconia, γ‐alumina and silica) were selected for study, with a focus on the hydrothermal stability of catalysts. RESULTS: The catalytic efficiency for transforming the oxygenates in aqueous FT effluents to C 1 –C 6 alkanes decreased in the order: Ru/ZrO 2 ∼ Ru/TiO 2 > Ru/SiO 2 > Ru/Al 2 O 3 . The conversion of alcohols was greatly suppressed over Ru/γ‐Al 2 O 3 . The former two catalysts (Ru/ZrO 2 and Ru/TiO 2 ) exhibited enhanced efficiency and long‐term stability (400 h) relative to Ru/SiO 2 and Ru/Al 2 O 3 . N 2 ‐physisorption, XRD and SEM showed that titania and zirconia exhibited high structural stability in an aqueous environment. However, the structures of γ‐alumina and silica were unstable due to significant drop in surface area and adverse changes in surface morphology. Especially for the case of the Ru/γ‐Al 2 O 3 catalyst, the γ‐alumina was transformed into boehmite structure after reaction, and metal leaching and carbon deposition were extensive. CONCLUSION: Ru/ZrO 2 or Ru/TiO 2 may be a promising alternative for degrading aqueous FT effluents due to their long‐term stability. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry