Direct conversion of syngas to aromatics: A review of recent studies

Abstract

The direct catalytic conversion of syngas to aromatics offers a promising route to manufacture fine chemicals by employing non-petroleum carbon resources, because aromatic constituents are the key platform for producing polymers. However, this remains a great challenge due to the low yield of aromatics and poor catalyst stability, which restrict further development. In recent years, extensive research has been reported on the design of effective catalysts and the optimization of operating conditions to obtain better catalytic performance. In this review, we focus on these related achievements and present a comprehensive overview of different kinds of catalysts, mainly including modified Fischer-Tropsch (FT) catalysts and composite catalysts, as well as their performance and reaction mechanisms. The thermodynamic analysis of the reactions involved in this innovative conversion process and the comparison of different methods are also described in detail in this updated review. Finally, the challenges and prospects for direct syngas conversion are discussed to provide general guidelines for the construction of a well-designed reaction route.

Advances in Selectivity Control for Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis to Fuels and Chemicals with High Carbon Efficiency

“…Aromatics, represented by benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX), are one of the most important fundamental building blocks for synthesizing various commodity chemicals and polymer materials, which are traditionally produced from catalytic reforming or cracking of naphtha based on the petroleum route. Direct syngas conversion to aromatics (STA) is a promising technology as an alternative green route for the production of aromatics from nonpetroleum resources. , …”

“…For the highly selective production of aromatics from syngas conversion, two tandem reaction routes have been successfully developed. , One is based on oxide–zeolite bifunctional catalysts with methanol/dimethyl ether as intermediates. − Another route combining Fischer–Tropsch to olefins (FTO) and an olefins-to-aromatics process using FT metal-zeolite as a catalyst has also received significant attention (Figure ). , H-ZSM-5 zeolites are effective for dehydrogenative aromatization of olefins to aromatic products.…”

Análisis y relevancia de los procesos catalíticos para la remoción de azufre en los combustibles fósiles

“…A partir del syngas se pueden obtener combustibles sintéticos por medio del proceso de Fischer-Tropsch, en donde hidrocarburos de bajo peso molecular pueden ser oligerizados a hidrocarburos de alto peso molecular. Las investigaciones realizadas por la tecnología de Fischer-Tropsch han mostrado buenos resultados, tanto en la cantidad como en la calidad de los combustibles generados (Dos Santos et al, 2019;Yang et al, 2020). Otros procesos importantes para la obtención de combustibles sintéticos son, por ejemplo, las investigaciones realizadas para la obtención de dimetil éter (DME), como sustituto de diésel, por medio de la deshidratación catalítica de metanol (Stepanenko et al, 2019;Bateni et al, 2019).…”

Recent advances in Co2C-based nanocatalysts for direct production of olefins from syngas conversion

“…Syngas conversion provides a versatile and important platform to efficiently convert coal, natural gas, biomass, solid waste and other carbon-containing resources into various fuels and chemicals including methanol, 1,2 gasoline, 3–5 wax, 6 olefins, 7–10 higher alcohols 11–14 and aromatics, 15–18 which are typically produced based on the petroleum route. The syngas-derived products can serve as powerful supplements to the petroleum-derived counterparts.…”