Performance and phase change studies of promoted and aged Fe-Zn-K catalyst, having simultaneous base and promoting effects of Zn, for Fischer-Tropsch-Synthesis

The Fe-Zn-K catalyst is a promoted catalyst by potassium and its base can also play the role of the catalyst promoter. The performance of this aged catalyst and two other identical catalysts was studied and discussed in order to describe the dual effects of zinc in production of ethylene and propylene. The optimum conditions of their performance in Fischer-Tropsch-Synthesis (FTS) were determined. Also, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques related to the phase and elutriation changes were studied, which were as a result of changing the ageing time of the Fe/Zn/K precursors and the catalysts. In addition the effects of the potassium increase on the textures of the Fe/Zn precursor and catalyst were studied. The crystalline structure of the main catalyst Fe/Zn/K, with an ageing time 1 hour, was also studied using the XRD technique.