High molecular hydrocarbons from the Fischer–Tropsch process with a pre-oxidized ruthenium zeolite catalyst

Abstract

The catalytic performance of zeolite-based ruthenium catalysts in the Fischer–Tropsch reaction depends on the sequence of oxidations/reductions to which they are subjected : with finely divided Ru particles obtained by reducing [Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺-exchanged synthetic zeolite, methane is the predominant product; but when the zeolite is first oxidized in air at 400 °C forming crystallites of RuO₂ Which can then be reduced, longer-chain hydrocarbons are produced at low reaction temperatures (155 °C).