Promotion of cobalt catalyst for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis by molybdenum as protection against sulfur poisoning

Molybdenum promotion was used to increase the resistance of a cobalt catalyst for the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis to sulfur poisoning. A series of experiments on adding 1,3,5-trithiane to synthesis gas (sulfur content of 1 ppm) showed that the Co–Mo /Al2O3 catalyst regained its initial activity after 8 h of operation. In comparison, catalysts not containing molybdenum experienced a significant irreversible loss of activity that was not recovered after stopping the addition of 1,3,5-trithiane to the feed.