Thermally Stable Support for Improved Synthetic Fuel Catalysts

Authors

Mark Lindsay, Brigham Young University
Dr. William Hecker, Brigham Young University
Dr. Morris Argyle, Brigham Young University

Keywords

thermally stable support, improved synthetic fuel catalyst

College

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology

Department

Chemical Engineering

Abstract

Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) has attracted interest recently as large natural gas deposits have been discovered across the globe. FTS is a gas-to-liquid technology that produces fuels with far fewer sulfur or nitrogen impurities, making it an attractive cleaner alternative to petroleum fuels[1]. Cobalt is the preferred catalyst for FTS[2], but it must be supported to achieve optimal performance. Alumina and silica have been used independently as colbalt FTS supports[3-4], and in mixtures as supports for other processes, but mixed silica-alumina supports have not been studied for FTS applications[5]. The BYU Catalysis Lab has discovered a silica-alumina support (AlSi) with high surface area, high thermal stability, and optimal acid concentrations[5]. The goal of this study is to determine the cause of the improved properties of AlSi and compare the support with other standard industrial supports.

Recommended Citation

Lindsay, Mark; Hecker, Dr. William; and Argyle, Dr. Morris (2017) "Thermally Stable Support for Improved Synthetic Fuel Catalysts," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2017: Iss. 1, Article 11.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2017/iss1/11