Optimizing C5+ hydrocarbon production via Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis on 7Fe3Co-SBA-15 catalyst: Effects of temperature, pressure and H2/CO ratio

In response to global climate change mitigation, the development of cleaner fuel alternatives is critical to reducing GHG emissions. In this sense, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis offers a promising pathway for producing synthetic hydrocarbons from waste-derived syngas, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuels with lower sulfur, nitrogen, and aromatic content. Thus, this study explores the performance of a 7Fe3Co-SBA-15 catalyst in optimizing the production of C5+ hydrocarbons which are essential for high-value fuels like gasoline and diesel. A mathematical model of a fixed-bed tubular reactor was developed, incorporating mass balance equations and mechanistic kinetic models to assess the impact of operating conditions – temperature (503-523 K), pressure (2.0-3.0 MPa), and H2/CO ratio (1.5-2.5) – on syngas conversion and C5+ selectivity and yield. The results demonstrate that higher temperatures (523 K) and pressures (3.0 MPa) significantly enhance C5+ yield (up to 28.23%) and selectivity (up to 10.39%), while a lower H2/CO ratio (1.5) promotes C5+ formation by favoring chain growth over lighter hydrocarbon production. The water-gas shift reaction exhibits minimal activity across all conditions, with negligible influence on overall performance. The optimal condition (H2/CO = 2.0, P = 3.0 MPa, T = 523 K) achieves superior C5+ production, highlighting the efficacy of the 7Fe3Co-SBA-15 catalyst in facilitating cleaner fuel synthesis with reduced GHG emissions.