Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis Over Zr-Promoted Co/γ-Al2O3 Catalysts
Two Zr-modified alumina supports were synthetized containing the same amount of Zr but a different distribution of this modifier over the alumina surface. These supports, together with the unmodified alumina carrier, were used to prepare three cobalt-based catalysts which were characterized and tested under relevant Fischer–Tropsch conditions. The three catalysts presented very similar porosity and cobalt dispersion. The addition of Zr nor its distribution enhanced the catalyst reducibility. The catalyst activity was superior when using a carrier consisting of large ZrO islands over the alumina surface. The use of a carrier with a homogeneous Zr distribution had however, a detrimental effect. Moreover, a faster initial deactivation rate was observed for the Zr-promoted catalysts, fact that may explain this contradictory effect of Zr on activity. Finally, the addition of Zr showed a clear enhancement of the selectivity to long chain hydrocarbons and ethylene, especially when Zr was well dispersed. ; The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2013) under Grant Agreement No. 308733. The authors are thankful to the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad—MINECO (references: BES-2013-062806, ENE2013-47880-C3-2-R and ENE2015-66975-C3-2-R) co-financed by FEDER funds from the European Union.