Features of Deactivation and Regeneration of the Zeolite-Containing Cobalt Catalyst in a Fischer – Tropsch Synthesis Reactor

Abstract

Endurance tests of the zeolite-containing cobalt catalyst for the Fischer – Tropsch synthesis were carried out in reactor tubes of the size comparable with those used in industrial reactors. During the tests (3000 h), the catalyst activity decreased by 13 %. Deactivation of the zeolite-containing cobalt catalyst was shown to occur due to agglomeration of cobalt clusters and formation of amorphous carbon on their surface. A method of decreasing the catalyst deactivation rate and two methods of the catalyst regeneration were proposed. The method of redox regeneration of zeolite-containing cobalt catalysts allows restoring 98 % of their initial activity.