Effect of CO2 during Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on cobalt-based catalysts

Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) is one of the promising routes for the synthesis of clean and environmentally benign fuel/chemicals form alternative feedstock in the near future. During the FTS on the cobalt-based catalysts, the effects of CO2 in syngas have been reported some contradictive results by explaining its role as an inert component or causing deactivation of cobalt particles by oxidation. In the present study, the effects of CO2 were investigated to elucidate the variation of CO conversion, products distribution and catalyst stability on the Co (20 wt.%) catalysts supported on Al2O3 and SiO2. The existence of CO2 reveals the negative effects on the catalyst stability and higher hydrocarbon formation by the significant sintering and reoxidation of cobalt particles on both catalysts during the FTS reaction.