Effects of Rare Earth Metal Promotion over Zeolite-Supported Fe-Cu-Based Catalysts on the Light Olefin Production Performance in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis.

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS), a significant reaction for effective H2 utilization, is a promising approach for direct production of light olefins from syngas (H2 + CO). For the FT-Olefin process, an efficient catalyst restricting the product distribution of FTS to light olefins is required. Aligned with this goal, we synthesized 24 catalysts comprising Fe and Cu in combination with rare earth metals (La, Ce, Nd, Ho, Er) and zeolite supports (ultrastable Y and mordenite). FT-Olefin performances of these catalysts were screened using a high-throughput test system at atmospheric pressure, and then promising catalysts were tested under high pressure in a conventional test system. Results show that Nd increases selectivity to light olefins and Ho suppresses C5+ and coke formation. It is also demonstrated that zeolite-metal interaction, leading to a mixture of both acidic and basic sites, is significant in increasing light olefin production. The mordenite-supported 20 wt % Fe, 0.5 wt % Cu, and 0.5 wt % Ho catalyst provides the highest light olefin yield with the lowest coke and heavier hydrocarbon selectivity.

Co-firing of pine chips with Turkish lignites in 750kWth circulating fluidized bed combustion system.

Two Turkish lignites which have different sulfur levels (2-2.9% dry) and ash levels (17-25% dry) were combusted with a Turkish forest red pine chips in a 750kW-thermal capacity circulating fluidized bed combustor (CFBC) system. The combustion temperature was held at 850±50°C. Flue gas emissions were measured by Gasmet DX-4000 flue gas analyzer. Two lignites were combusted alone, and then limestone was added to lignites to reduce SO2 emissions. Ca/S=3 was used. 30% percent of red pine chips were added to the lignites for co-firing experiments without limestone in order to see the biomass effects. The results showed that with limestone addition SO2 concentration was reduced below the limit values for all lignites. CO emissions are high at low excess air ratios, gets lower as the excess air ratio increases. During co-firing experiments the temperature in the freeboard was 100-150°C higher as compared to coal combustion experiments.