GAFT - Gasification and FT-Synthesis of Lignocellulosic Feedstocks

Catalysts applied in FTS are either Co or Fe based catalysts usually supported on TiO₂, Al₂O₃ or SiO₂, or it could be unsupported catalysts. Promoters like Re, Mn, Cu, Zn an K are commonly used to improve catalyst activity and selectivity towards higher hydrocarbon range. Fe based catalyst benefit from having high water-gas shift activity and hence being suitable for H₂:CO ratios < 2. Co based catalysts however, have much higher activity and have higher productivity. In BTL installations from 2010 and recently, only Co-based catalysts are applied.


Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 58 (2016) 267-286

In the GAFT project, a series of cobolt and iron based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst are screened and tested in laboratory fixed-bed reactors at relevant FT conditions, including high levels of CO₂ in the feedgas. The catalyst screening will include analyses of the liquid phase compositions. Catalyst will be selected for further studies, including tests in in-house microchannel reactors. Microchannel reactors are demonstrated to have beneficial properties for small scale GTL reactors. Microchannel reactor technology enables better handling of the heat produced by the highly exothermic FT than conventional systems, allowing more active FT catalysts and more severe conditions.


Fischer-Tropsch reactor used for catalyst screening and testing.