Hydrogenation of CO on supported cobalt γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst in fixed bed and slurry bubble column reactors

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis for the production of C₅+ hydrocarbons from syngas was carried out in a tubular fixed bed reactor (TFBR) and in a slurry bubble column reactor (SBCR). The Co-based catalysts for FTS were prepared by the conventional wet-impregnation of γ-Al₂O₃. Effects of operating conditions such as GHSV (1,000-4,000 ml/g·hr), reaction temperature (220-250°C) and pressure (0.5-3.0 MPa) on the CO conversion and product selectivity of Co/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst were examined in the TFBR and SBCR. The C₅+ selectivity and olefin selectivity in an SBCR were found to be higher than that in a TFBR, whereas C₂-C₄ selectivity showed a reverse trend. The CO conversion and product distribution in an SBCR were less sensitive than that in a TFBR with variations of reaction conditions.