Distribution of carbon deposits on reduced Co/Y-zeolite catalysts for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

A new simple characterization method was employed to investigate the formation of carbon deposits in reduced Co/Y zeolites. The method was based on temperature programmed surface reaction (TPSR) between adsorbed carbon deposits and hydrogen. Together with other characterization methods of FMR, TEM and H2 chemisorption, CO hydrogenation reaction was performed on Co/Y zeolite catalysts, and the changes in CO hydrogenation activity and selectivity with metal distributions were also investigated. Especially the studies have discussions about the selectivity pattern of cobalt clusters within Y-zeolite cages and large cobalt metal aggregates on the external surface of the zeolites.