Molecular Weight Distribution of Hydrocarbons Produced by Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis over Co/Zeolite Catalysts and the Feasibility of These Catalysts for Production of C₁₈-C₄₀ Hydrocarbons

This paper demonstrates the basic feasibility of bifunctional Co/zeolite catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) to produce C-18-C-40 hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons are intermediate between high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons (up to C-100) produced by conventional FTS in the presence of Co/oxide catalysts and engine fuel components (up to C-18) synthesized by FTS over Co/zeolite catalysts. The synthesis conditions that favor olefin-involving chain-growth reactions on zeolite acid sites are sensitive to zeolite type. The study findings can serve as a foundation for the development of a novel technology for the synthesis of C-18-C-40 hydrocarbons as valuable feedstocks for various oil applications.