A compact and high throughput reactor of monolithic‐structured catalyst bed for conversion of syngas to liquid fuels

Abstract

Syngas conversion is needed for the production of liquid fuels and/or chemicals from renewable or remote feedstock at capacities much smaller than the conventional Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) plant. Here, we present a multiscale-engineered, modular-type design approach toward the development of a compact reactor unit to make syngas-to-liquids economically feasible at small scales. The fundamental design idea is tested by using a Re-Co/alumina catalyst coated on a monolith support of channel size about 0.9 mm. One-pass CO conversion (92-98%) with 10% of CH 4 selectivity is obtained with the structured bed under typical F-T reaction conditions. The gas superficial linear velocity was found as one critical parameter that may allow scale-up of the hydrodynamics from the small-scale laboratory tests directly to practical sizes of the reactor with the proposed design strategy. A pore wetness and surface perspiration model is proposed to explain the experimental data and rationalize the new design concepts.

Fischer–Tropsch Catalysts for the Production of Hydrocarbon Fuels with High Selectivity

“…It has been demonstrated that FT fuels produced from syngas are more environmentally friendly than conventional petroleumbased liquid fuels. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] However, some challenges still remain in catalysis for FT synthesis. In addition to conventional gas-to-liquid (GTL) and coal-to-liquid (CTL) processes, the biomass-to-liquid (BTL) process with FT synthesis as the core technology has also been developed recently in industry.…”

“…[4][5][6] At the same time, the development of new catalysts and new reactor technologies has also attracted considerable attention. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] However, some challenges still remain in catalysis for FT synthesis. From a fundamental point of view, the control of selectivity is one of the biggest challenges.…”

CO2 Capture with Mesoporous Silicas Modified with Amines by Double Functionalization: Assessment of Adsorption/Desorption Cycles

“…The characteristic reflections of SBA-15 are not present in our samples. Vilarrasa et al (2014) [ 46 ] and Liu et al (2012) [ 47 ] showed similar behavior as a characteristic of Mesocellular Foam Structure (MSF). The presence of ammonium fluoride on the synthesis process might have affected the hexagonal arrangement of the solid, thus limiting the growth of the mesochannels and leading to shorter channels with low-range order.…”

Comparison of wash‐coated monoliths vs. microfibrous entrapped catalyst structures for catalytic VOC removal

“…To achieve this goal, researchers are now paying more attention to the microstructured and/or microengineered systems which provide small characteristic dimensions and higher external surface area. [1][2][3][4] Microfibrous entrapped catalyst (MFEC) and sorbent (MFES) exhibited significant benefits in heterogeneous catalysis and adsorption applications. [5][6][7] MFEC offers a new approach for creating a small, efficient, and lightweight heterogeneous contacting system.…”

“…Catalytic reaction applications which involve short contact time require a new formulation of heterogeneous contacting scheme. To achieve this goal, researchers are now paying more attention to the microstructured and/or microengineered systems which provide small characteristic dimensions and higher external surface area . Microfibrous entrapped catalyst (MFEC) and sorbent (MFES) exhibited significant benefits in heterogeneous catalysis and adsorption applications .…”