31 may
Researchers of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a catalyst that allows to create liquid fuel on an industrial scale based on synthesis gas obtained from coal, the news High-tech portal. The researchers applied cobalt-based catalysts to activated carbon to increase the efficiency of the Fischer-Tropsch process. In this reaction, carbon monoxide and hydrogen (synthesis gas) are converted into various hydrocarbons in the presence of a catalyst.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences reports that using a new catalyst, scientists have carried out industrial synthesis of 150 thousand tons/year of pure liquid fuel from synthesis gas obtained from coal in reactors with a slurry layer in Yulin. The researchers note that, unlike traditional cobalt-based catalysts, the new development is highly selective for liquid hydrocarbons, not methane. The tests showed that when the industrial plant was fully loaded, the total conversion of synthesis gas exceeded 98%, while the selectivity for methane was less than 7%, and for liquid hydrocarbons exceeded 92%.
"Direct conversion of synthesis gas into pure liquid fuel using carbon material supported by a cobalt-based catalyst can be carried out on an industrial scale in China, which creates more opportunities for clean and efficient use of coal resources," says Professor Ding Yunjie from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, co-author of the development. Scientists note that the new catalysts can be recycled during combustion without the formation of solid waste.
Illustrative photo from open sources