Application of Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis in Biomass to Liquid Conversion

Abstract

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is a set of catalytic processes that can be used to produce fuels and chemicals from synthesis gas (mixture of CO and H 2 ), which can be derived from natural gas, coal, or biomass. Biomass to Liquid via Fischer-Tropsch (BTL-FT) synthesis is gaining increasing interests from academia and industry because of its ability to produce carbon neutral and environmentally friendly clean fuels; such kinds of fuels can help to meet the globally increasing energy demand and to meet the stricter environmental regulations in the future. In the BTL-FT process, biomass, such as woodchips and straw stalk, is firstly converted into biomass-derived syngas (bio-syngas) by gasification. Then, a cleaning process is applied to remove impurities from the bio-syngas to produce clean bio-syngas which meets the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis requirements. Cleaned bio-syngas is then conducted into a Fischer-Tropsch catalytic reactor to produce green gasoline, diesel and other clean biofuels. This review will analyze the three main steps of BTL-FT process, and discuss the issues related to biomass gasification, bio-syngas cleaning methods and conversion of bio-syngas into liquid hydrocarbons via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Some features in regard to increasing carbon utilization, enhancing catalyst activity, maximizing selectivity and avoiding catalyst deactivation in bio-syngas conversion process are also discussed.

Effect of the Ni/Al ratio of hydrotalcite-type catalysts on their performance in the methane dry reforming process

“…The catalytic performance of our synthesized materials reaches its maxima during the first 2 h of the reaction, after which the amounts of methane and carbon dioxide conversion remain steady over the rest of time i.e. synthesized catalysts increases with the increase in Ni/Al ratio (when R [ 2). From this relationship, it appears that the order of catalytic activity follows the sequence: NiAl-…”

“…DRM is considered as an eco-friendly process due to the consumption of two greenhouse gases, namely carbon dioxide and methane [1]. A feedstock gas mixture with low H 2 /CO ratio is preferentially used for the production of liquid hydrocarbons in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis [2]. Previously, DRM reactions were catalyzed by group VIII transition metals such as Ni, Rh, Ru, Pd, Pt, Ir and Co [3].…”

Effect of CO Concentration on the α-Value of Plasma-Synthesized Co/C Catalyst in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

“…Since natural resources such as coal are finite, pursuit for alternative carbon sources and the use of CO-rich syngas of biomass origin is contemplated [11], and may present benefits that comprise sustainability through production of biomass-derived fuels. Interest in a Biomass to Liquid process via Fischer-Tropsch (BTL-FT) synthesis is growing steadily from both academia and industry because of its ability to produce carbon neutral and environmentally friendly clean fuels [12]. Commercial production of such fuels while simultaneously satisfying the increasing energy demand and meeting stringent environmental regulations is inevitable in the foreseeable future, particularly with the push towards sulphur-free diesel [13].…”

Economic Analysis of Solid Waste Treatment Plants Using Pyrolysis

“…However, the price of electricity is affected by government regulations and subsidies and varies from 3 to 20 US cents. Liquid fuel is produced through Fischer-Tropsch process at a rate of 100 to 300 liters per ton [17][18][19][20]. The incomes from of recyclables, biochar, carbon credit, gate (tipping) and brown water are presented in Table 6 …”

“…The system uses slow pyrolysis [22] where the obtained gas product runs electric generators; Table 8 is set for only electricity production. Equipment for fuel liquefiers which uses Fischer-Tropsch process [17,19] and gas filters are not considered. The dryers are required to eliminate moisture in MSW [23], and finally the moisture is used for water production.…”