| dc.description.abstract | Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis stands out as a relevant alternative technology for the production of liquid fuels. Natural gas, coal, biomass and other carbon-containing raw materials can be converted to syngas (CO and H2), that in turn is fed to Fischer-Tropsch reactors, to produce a wide range of hydrocarbon products. Various reactor systems have been developed and tested successfully for their utilization in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. High-temperature reactors are typically designed to obtain high concentrations of branched hydrocarbons and alcohols while low-temperature reactors primarily produce high concentrations of linear alkanes and alkenes. Low-temperature reactors, typically slurry bubble column or multi-tubular, have shown great promise for further developments in industrial applications due to advantages such as efficient heat transfer, uniform temperatures, reduced diffusion limitations, high catalyst productivity, ease of catalyst regeneration, and low costs. At conditions of low temperature, FT products are present in the liquid phase. Therefore, it is of interest to investigate the effects of liquid media on the activity and selectivity of these FT reactors.
Fischer-Tropsch in biphasic media benefits from the present of liquid water that enhances FT rates and the organic phase that solubilizes hydrocarbon products facilitating product separation. Interestingly, effects of organic phases on FT rates have not been discussed extensively. In this dissertation, the influence organic solvents and catalyst hydrophobicity on FT is investigated in single organic and biphasic aqueous/organic systems . A systematic study of catalyst hydrophobicity on FT rates with various supports is carried out and trends in acitivity and selectivity are discussed based on mechanistic insights recently presented in the literature. | en_US |
