The effect of copper as a chemical promoter on the performance of a cobalt based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst

Bibliography: leaves 46-49.In the light of the fact that copper is used as a promoter for the iron catalyst and that the industry is looking at a commercial FT synthesis cobalt catalyst, it is essential to reinvestigate the effect of copper on a cobalt catalyst. Copper has an effect on the overall activity of iron and cobalt [Kolbel, 1951, J. Schwank, 1991], but the reasons are not clearly understood. In the present study the role of copper as a promoter on the performance of 16.67% (wt) Co/Si02 is investigated with TPR, CO chemisorption, TEM and FT synthesis