Detailed kinetic study and modeling of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over a state-of-the-art cobalt based catalyst

In this work, a detailed kinetic model for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) has been developed. Based on the analysis of the literature data concerning the FT reaction mechanism and on the results we obtained from chemical enrichment experiments, we have first defined a detailed FT mechanism for a cobalt-based catalyst, explaining the synthesis of each product through the evolution of adsorbed reaction intermediates. Moreover, appropriate rate laws have been attributed to each reaction step and the resulting kinetic scheme fitted to a comprehensive set of FT data describing the effect of process conditions on catalyst activity and selectivity in the range of process conditions typical of industrial operations. The developed model allows the simultaneous prediction of both the reactants conversion and n-paraffins and α-olefins selectivity from C1 to C49 as a function of process conditions.