Fischer-Tropsch+process

The **Fischer–Tropsch process ** (or Fischer–Tropsch synthesis) is a collection of [|chemical reactions] that converts a mixture of [|carbon monoxide] and [|hydrogen] into liquid [|hydrocarbons] . The process, a key component of [|gas to liquids] technology, produces a [|synthetic lubrication oil] and [|synthetic fuel] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">, typically from <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;">[|coal] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;">[|natural gas] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">, or <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;">[|biomass] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;">[|[1]] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">The F–T process has received intermittent attention as a source of low-sulfur diesel fuel and to address the supply or cost of petroleum-derived hydrocarbons.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">The Fischer–Tropsch process involves a series of chemical reactions that lead to a variety of hydrocarbons (CnH(2n+2)). Useful reactions give [|alkanes] :

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">(2n+1) H2 + n CO → CnH(2n+2) + n [|H2O]

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">where 'n' is a [|positive integer]. The formation of methane (n = 1) is generally unwanted. Most of the alkanes produced tend to be straight-chain, suitable as [|diesel fuel]. In addition to alkane formation, competing reactions give small amounts of [|alkenes], as well as [|alcohols] and other oxygenated hydrocarbons.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 17px; text-align: start;"> Other reactions relevant to the F–T process
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">Several reactions are required to obtain the gaseous reactants required for F-T catalysis. First, reactant gases entering a F-T reactor must be [|desulfurized]. Otherwise, sulfur-containing impurities deactivate ( [|poison] ) the catalysts required for F-T reactions.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">Several reactions are employed to adjust the H2/CO ratio. Most important is the [|water gas shift reaction], which provides a source of hydrogen at the expense of carbon monoxide:

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">H2O + CO → H2 + [|CO2]

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">For F-T plants that use methane as the [|feedstock], another important reaction is [|steam reforming] , which converts the methane into CO and H2:

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">H2O + CH4 → CO + 3 H2

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