Zugl.: Oldenburg, Univ., Diss., 2007

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2004. / Abstract. Includes bibliographic references (269-292).

In this work, inorganic membranes with highly dispersed metallic catalysts on macroporous titania-washcoated alumina supports were produced, characterized and tested in a catalytic membrane reactor. The reactor, operated as a contactor in the forced pore-flow-through mode, was used for the conversion of synthesis gas (H2 + CO) into mixed alcohols and hydrocarbons via the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Carbon monoxide conversions of 78% and 90% at near atmospheric pressure (300kPa) and 493K were recorded over cobalt and bimetallic Co-Mn membranes respectively. The membranes also allowed for the conversion of carbon dioxide, thus eliminating the need for a CO2 separation interphase between synthesis gas production and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Catalytic tests conducted with the membrane reactor with different operating conditions (of temperature, pressure and feed flow rate) on cobalt-based membranes gave very high selectivity to specific products, mostly higher alcohols (C2 – C8) and paraffins within the gasoline range, thereby making superfluous any further upgrading of products to fuel grade other than simple dehydration. Manganese-promoted cobalt membranes were found not only to give better Fischer-Tropsch activity, but also to promote isomerization of paraffins, which is good for boosting the octane number of the products, with the presence of higher alcohols improving the energy density. The membrane reactor concept also enhanced the ability of cobalt to catalyze synthesis gas conversions, giving an activation energy Ea of 59.5 kJ/mol.K compared with 86.9 – 170 kJ/mol.K recorded in other reactors. Efficient heat transfer was observed because of the open channel morphology of the porous membranes. A simplified mechanism for both alcohol and hydrocarbon production based on hydroxycarbene formation was proposed to explain both the stoichiometric reactions formulated and the observed product distribution pattern.

COSTA, E. Efeito da variação de lítio em catalisadores de ferro tendo potássio e cobre como promotores para a síntese Fischer-Tropsch. 95 f. 2010. Dissertação (Mestrado em Engenharia Química) – Centro de Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2010. / Submitted by Marlene Sousa (mmarlene@ufc.br) on 2016-03-23T12:23:25Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2010_dis_ecosta.pdf: 2161446 bytes, checksum: ec2de3e4dd8bf253f8868c4184687250 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marlene Sousa(mmarlene@ufc.br) on 2016-03-28T17:12:51Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2010_dis_ecosta.pdf: 2161446 bytes, checksum: ec2de3e4dd8bf253f8868c4184687250 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-28T17:12:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2010_dis_ecosta.pdf: 2161446 bytes, checksum: ec2de3e4dd8bf253f8868c4184687250 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-02-24 / New environmental regulations and a possible instability in the international oil market have led to a renewal interest in the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS), which is an alternative to produce more environmental friendly fuels. The FTS is a polymerization reaction, in which syngas (H2 + CO) reacts in the presence of catalyst to produce hydrocarbons. Three iron-based catalysts supported in silica and promoted with lithium were synthesized and the effects of lithium content and operating conditions (temperature and pressure) were studied. The composition of the catalysts was based on 100Fe/5Cu/24K/240SiO2 (molar basis) with varying lithium concentration 06Li, 12Li e 24Li. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, textural analysis and temperature programming reduction. An experimental planning was carried out for each catalyst, varying the temperature from 240 to 270 ºC and the pressure from 20 to 30 atm. The answer variables were the average carbon number (Nm), dispersion and curtosis of the product distribution. The reactions were carried out in a slurry bed reactor and the products were analyzed by gas chromatography. The products were identified by means of internal standards and quantified by mass balance. The product distribution of the FTS presented a normal distribution in the diesel and wax region. The distribution was similar to a Gaussian curve for all catalysts. The liquid products consisted mainly of n-parafins. The results for all catalysts presented significant quantities of n-parafins in the range of 20 to 36 carbons. The perturbation analysis of the independent variables (temperature, pressure and lithium content) showed that only the lithium content has a significant effect over the average carbon number, at a 90% confidence level. The lithium content presented a negative effect over the average carbon number. / Diante das atuais exigências ambientais e uma possível instabilidade no mercado internacional de petróleo, o processo de Síntese de Fischer-Tropsch (SFT) representa uma nova trajetória tecnológica na busca de combustíveis alternativos limpos. A SFT é uma reação de polimerização, na qual o gás de síntese (H2 + CO) reage na presença de um catalisador produzindo uma mistura de hidrocarbonetos. A fim de se estudar o efeito das condições operacionais (temperatura e pressão) e do teor de lítio como promotor em catalisadores de ferro para a (SFT) foram sintetizados três catalisadores suportados em sílica. A composição desses catalisadores em base molar seguiu o padrão: 100Fe/5Cu/24K/240SiO2, variando apenas a concentração de lítio, em 06Li, 12Li e 24Li. Os catalisadores foram caracterizados através das técnicas de fluorescência de raios-X, difração de raios-X, análise termogravimétrica, análise textural e redução a temperatura programada. Foi realizado um planejamento experimental fatorial para cada catalisador e as variáveis respostas selecionadas foram o número médio de carbono (Nm), a dispersão e a curtose da distribuição dos produtos. A pressão variou de 240 a 270ºC e a pressão de 20 a 30 atm. As reações foram conduzidas em um reator de leito de lama de alta pressão e os produtos gerados foram analisados por cromatografia gasosa e identificados através de padrões internos e quantificados a partir de balanços molares e programa computacional de estimativa de área dos picos. A distribuição de hidrocarbonetos resultantes da reação da Síntese de Fischer-Tropsch apresentou comportamento de uma distribuição normal para fração diesel e graxa, semelhante ao comportamento de uma Gaussiana para todos os catalisadores nas condições estudadas. Os produtos líquidos obtidos nas corridas experimentais da SFT são constituídos principalmente de n-parafinas. Os resultados de todos os experimentos para os três tipos de catalisador apresentaram quantidades significativas de n-parafinas na faixa de 20 a 36 átomos de carbono. A análise estatística da perturbação das variáveis independentes do processo (temperatura, pressão e concentração de lítio no catalisador) sobre o número médio de carbonos mostra que apenas a concentração de lítio no catalisador tem um efeito significativo para um intervalo de confiança de 90%. A concentração de lítio apresenta influência negativa, indicando que sua utilização desfavorece a produção de hidrocarbonetos de maior peso molecular.

Les performances des catalyseurs hétérogènes sont généralement attribuées à la présence de sites actifs. La concentration, l’activité intrinsèque, la localisation et la stabilité de ces sites sont des paramètres importants de tous les systèmes catalytiques connus. Les méthodes cinétiques transitoires comme SSITKA sont des outils puissants pour mener à bien les études cinétiques des réactions catalytiques. La promotion des catalyseurs à base de fer avec des métaux utilisés pour la soudure (Bi et Pb) conduit à une augmentation remarquable de la vitesse de production des oléfines légères avec la possibilité d’effectuer la synthèse Fischer-Tropsch dans des conditions très douces (basse pression) voire pression atmosphérique. Les expériences cinétiques transitoires ont démontré la facilité de la dissociation du CO à la surface du carbure de fer en présence des promoteurs par le piégeage d’atomes d’oxygène. Parmi tous les catalyseurs étudiés, les catalyseurs à base de zéolite de type mordenite ont présenté la valeur la plus élevée de la constante de vitesse SSITKA. En revanche, la ZSM-5 utilisée comme support présentait une vitesse de réaction la plus basse, probablement à cause de la localisation de nanoparticules de cobalt uniquement à la surface externe de zéolite (Suite)La localisation des sites actifs de cobalt dans les catalyseurs bifonctionnels à base de zéolite et de cobalt a un impact majeur sur la vitesse de réaction et en particulier sur la sélectivité en hydrocarbures. La proximité entre les sites actifs de cobalt et les sites actifs de Brønsted a été considérée comme un paramètre clef pour obtenir une sélectivité et un rendement plus élevés en hydrocarbures ramifiés. Le SSITKA couplé à des techniques de caractérisation a révélé que le dépôt de carbone et l'agglomération des nanoparticules de cobalt étaient responsables de la désactivation du catalyseur cobalt supporté par la silice. Le dépôt de carbone a entraîné une diminution du nombre d'intermédiaires carbonés qui produisent du méthane via leur hydrogénation. La régénération des catalyseurs sous hydrogène diminue le nombre d'espèces de carbone déposées et libère partiellement les sites les plus actifs d’adsorption dissociative et les sites les plus forts d'adsorption réversible du monoxyde de carbone. L'étude de modélisation SSITKA a démontré la présence de deux intermédiaires carbonés. / O desempenho de catalisadores heterogêneos é geralmente atribuído a presença de sítios ativos. A concentração, a atividade intrínseca, a localização e a estabilidade destes sítios são os principais parâmetros de todos os sistemas catalíticos conhecidos. Métodos cinéticos transientes, como análise por SSITKA, são técnicas poderosas para o estudo cinético de reações catalíticas heterogêneas. Catalisadores à base de ferro com a presença de promotores metálicos (Bi e Pb) causaram notável aumento na taxa de produção de olefinas leves, criando a possibilidade de realizar a síntese de Fischer-Tropsch em condições amenas de reação e até mesmo em pressão atmosférica. Experimentos cinéticos transientes mostraram que a dissociação de CO é facilitada na presença de promotores devido a retirada de átomos de oxigênio pela ação do carboneto de ferro. O catalisador de cobalto suportado em zeólita mordenita apresentou maior valor da taxa de reação determinada por SSITKA entre todos os catalisadores suportados em zeólitas estudados. No entanto, ZSM-5 utilizada como suporte apresentou menor taxa de reação, provavelmente devido à localização das nanopartículas de cobalto na superfície externa da zeólita A localização dos sítios ativos de cobalto em catalisadores bifuncionais formados por cobalto e zeólita apresentou grande impacto sobre a taxa de reação e em particular sobre a seletividade dos hidrocarbonetos. A proximidade entre os sítios ativos de cobalto e os sítios ativos de Brønsted demonstrou ser um parâmetro chave para obter uma alta seletividade e alto rendimento de hidrocarbonetos ramificados. O estudo combinando a análise SSITKA com técnicas de caracterização de catalisadores revelou que a deposição de carbono e a aglomeração de nanopartículas de cobalto durante a reação foram os responsáveis pela desativação do catalisador de cobalto suportado em sílica. A regeneração do catalisador via hidrogenação diminuiu o depósito de carbono e liberou parcialmente os sítios mais ativos para a dissociação de monóxido de carbono, assim como os sítios envolvidos na adsorção reversível de monóxido de carbono. A modelagem SSITKA demonstrou a presença de duas espécies intermediárias de carbono. / The catalytic performance of heterogeneous catalysts is usually attributed to the presence of active sites. The concentration, intrinsic activity, localisation and stability of these sites are major parameters of all known catalytic systems. Transient kinetic methods such as Steady State Transient Kinetic Analysis (SSITKA) are powerful tools for carrying out kinetic studies of heterogeneous catalytic reactions. Promotion of iron catalysts with metals used for soldering (Bi and Pb) results a remarkable increase in the light olefin production rate with the possibility to conduct Fischer-Tropsch synthesis at very mild reaction conditions (low pressure) and even at atmospheric pressure. Transient kinetic experiments showed facilitation of CO dissociation in the presence of promoters by scavenging O atoms from iron carbide. Cobalt catalyst supported by mordenite zeolite presented higher value of SSITKA rate constant among all catalysts studied. On the other hand, the ZSM-5 as support presented the lowest reaction rate, probably due to the localization of cobalt nanoparticles on the external surface of the zeolite Localization of cobalt active sites in bifunctional cobalt-zeolite catalysts has a major impact on the reaction rate and in particular on the hydrocarbon selectivity. A proximity between the cobalt active site and Brønsted active sites was found to be a key parameter to obtain higher selectivity and yield of isomerized hydrocarbons. SSITKA combined with catalyst characterization revealed that carbon deposition and cobalt nanoparticle agglomeration were responsible for the deactivation of silica supported cobalt catalysts. The carbon deposition led to a decrease in the number of carbon-chemisorbed intermediates, which yield methane through their hydrogenation. Catalyst rejuvenation in hydrogen lessened the amounts of deposited carbon species and partially released the most active sites of carbon monoxide dissociative adsorption and stronger sites of carbon monoxide reversible adsorption. The SSITKA modeling demonstrated the presence of two intermediates carbon species.

Les performances des catalyseurs hétérogènes sont généralement attribuées à la présence de sites actifs. La concentration, l’activité intrinsèque, la localisation et la stabilité de ces sites sont des paramètres importants de tous les systèmes catalytiques connus. Les méthodes cinétiques transitoires comme SSITKA sont des outils puissants pour mener à bien les études cinétiques des réactions catalytiques. La promotion des catalyseurs à base de fer avec des métaux utilisés pour la soudure (Bi et Pb) conduit à une augmentation remarquable de la vitesse de production des oléfines légères avec la possibilité d’effectuer la synthèse Fischer-Tropsch dans des conditions très douces (basse pression) voire pression atmosphérique. Les expériences cinétiques transitoires ont démontré la facilité de la dissociation du CO à la surface du carbure de fer en présence des promoteurs par le piégeage d’atomes d’oxygène. Parmi tous les catalyseurs étudiés, les catalyseurs à base de zéolite de type mordenite ont présenté la valeur la plus élevée de la constante de vitesse SSITKA. En revanche, la ZSM-5 utilisée comme support présentait une vitesse de réaction la plus basse, probablement à cause de la localisation de nanoparticules de cobalt uniquement à la surface externe de zéolite (Suite)La localisation des sites actifs de cobalt dans les catalyseurs bifonctionnels à base de zéolite et de cobalt a un impact majeur sur la vitesse de réaction et en particulier sur la sélectivité en hydrocarbures. La proximité entre les sites actifs de cobalt et les sites actifs de Brønsted a été considérée comme un paramètre clef pour obtenir une sélectivité et un rendement plus élevés en hydrocarbures ramifiés. Le SSITKA couplé à des techniques de caractérisation a révélé que le dépôt de carbone et l'agglomération des nanoparticules de cobalt étaient responsables de la désactivation du catalyseur cobalt supporté par la silice. Le dépôt de carbone a entraîné une diminution du nombre d'intermédiaires carbonés qui produisent du méthane via leur hydrogénation. La régénération des catalyseurs sous hydrogène diminue le nombre d'espèces de carbone déposées et libère partiellement les sites les plus actifs d’adsorption dissociative et les sites les plus forts d'adsorption réversible du monoxyde de carbone. L'étude de modélisation SSITKA a démontré la présence de deux intermédiaires carbonés. / O desempenho de catalisadores heterogêneos é geralmente atribuído a presença de sítios ativos. A concentração, a atividade intrínseca, a localização e a estabilidade destes sítios são os principais parâmetros de todos os sistemas catalíticos conhecidos. Métodos cinéticos transientes, como análise por SSITKA, são técnicas poderosas para o estudo cinético de reações catalíticas heterogêneas. Catalisadores à base de ferro com a presença de promotores metálicos (Bi e Pb) causaram notável aumento na taxa de produção de olefinas leves, criando a possibilidade de realizar a síntese de Fischer-Tropsch em condições amenas de reação e até mesmo em pressão atmosférica. Experimentos cinéticos transientes mostraram que a dissociação de CO é facilitada na presença de promotores devido a retirada de átomos de oxigênio pela ação do carboneto de ferro. O catalisador de cobalto suportado em zeólita mordenita apresentou maior valor da taxa de reação determinada por SSITKA entre todos os catalisadores suportados em zeólitas estudados. No entanto, ZSM-5 utilizada como suporte apresentou menor taxa de reação, provavelmente devido à localização das nanopartículas de cobalto na superfície externa da zeólita A localização dos sítios ativos de cobalto em catalisadores bifuncionais formados por cobalto e zeólita apresentou grande impacto sobre a taxa de reação e em particular sobre a seletividade dos hidrocarbonetos. A proximidade entre os sítios ativos de cobalto e os sítios ativos de Brønsted demonstrou ser um parâmetro chave para obter uma alta seletividade e alto rendimento de hidrocarbonetos ramificados. O estudo combinando a análise SSITKA com técnicas de caracterização de catalisadores revelou que a deposição de carbono e a aglomeração de nanopartículas de cobalto durante a reação foram os responsáveis pela desativação do catalisador de cobalto suportado em sílica. A regeneração do catalisador via hidrogenação diminuiu o depósito de carbono e liberou parcialmente os sítios mais ativos para a dissociação de monóxido de carbono, assim como os sítios envolvidos na adsorção reversível de monóxido de carbono. A modelagem SSITKA demonstrou a presença de duas espécies intermediárias de carbono. / The catalytic performance of heterogeneous catalysts is usually attributed to the presence of active sites. The concentration, intrinsic activity, localisation and stability of these sites are major parameters of all known catalytic systems. Transient kinetic methods such as Steady State Transient Kinetic Analysis (SSITKA) are powerful tools for carrying out kinetic studies of heterogeneous catalytic reactions. Promotion of iron catalysts with metals used for soldering (Bi and Pb) results a remarkable increase in the light olefin production rate with the possibility to conduct Fischer-Tropsch synthesis at very mild reaction conditions (low pressure) and even at atmospheric pressure. Transient kinetic experiments showed facilitation of CO dissociation in the presence of promoters by scavenging O atoms from iron carbide. Cobalt catalyst supported by mordenite zeolite presented higher value of SSITKA rate constant among all catalysts studied. On the other hand, the ZSM-5 as support presented the lowest reaction rate, probably due to the localization of cobalt nanoparticles on the external surface of the zeolite Localization of cobalt active sites in bifunctional cobalt-zeolite catalysts has a major impact on the reaction rate and in particular on the hydrocarbon selectivity. A proximity between the cobalt active site and Brønsted active sites was found to be a key parameter to obtain higher selectivity and yield of isomerized hydrocarbons. SSITKA combined with catalyst characterization revealed that carbon deposition and cobalt nanoparticle agglomeration were responsible for the deactivation of silica supported cobalt catalysts. The carbon deposition led to a decrease in the number of carbon-chemisorbed intermediates, which yield methane through their hydrogenation. Catalyst rejuvenation in hydrogen lessened the amounts of deposited carbon species and partially released the most active sites of carbon monoxide dissociative adsorption and stronger sites of carbon monoxide reversible adsorption. The SSITKA modeling demonstrated the presence of two intermediates carbon species.

Please read the abstract (Synopsis) in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (M Eng (Chemical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Chemical Engineering / MEng / unrestricted

Les performances des catalyseurs hétérogènes sont généralement attribuées à la présence de sites actifs. La concentration, l’activité intrinsèque, la localisation et la stabilité de ces sites sont des paramètres importants de tous les systèmes catalytiques connus. Les méthodes cinétiques transitoires comme SSITKA sont des outils puissants pour mener à bien les études cinétiques des réactions catalytiques. La promotion des catalyseurs à base de fer avec des métaux utilisés pour la soudure (Bi et Pb) conduit à une augmentation remarquable de la vitesse de production des oléfines légères avec la possibilité d’effectuer la synthèse Fischer-Tropsch dans des conditions très douces (basse pression) voire pression atmosphérique. Les expériences cinétiques transitoires ont démontré la facilité de la dissociation du CO à la surface du carbure de fer en présence des promoteurs par le piégeage d’atomes d’oxygène. Parmi tous les catalyseurs étudiés, les catalyseurs à base de zéolite de type mordenite ont présenté la valeur la plus élevée de la constante de vitesse SSITKA. En revanche, la ZSM-5 utilisée comme support présentait une vitesse de réaction la plus basse, probablement à cause de la localisation de nanoparticules de cobalt uniquement à la surface externe de zéolite (Suite)La localisation des sites actifs de cobalt dans les catalyseurs bifonctionnels à base de zéolite et de cobalt a un impact majeur sur la vitesse de réaction et en particulier sur la sélectivité en hydrocarbures. La proximité entre les sites actifs de cobalt et les sites actifs de Brønsted a été considérée comme un paramètre clef pour obtenir une sélectivité et un rendement plus élevés en hydrocarbures ramifiés. Le SSITKA couplé à des techniques de caractérisation a révélé que le dépôt de carbone et l'agglomération des nanoparticules de cobalt étaient responsables de la désactivation du catalyseur cobalt supporté par la silice. Le dépôt de carbone a entraîné une diminution du nombre d'intermédiaires carbonés qui produisent du méthane via leur hydrogénation. La régénération des catalyseurs sous hydrogène diminue le nombre d'espèces de carbone déposées et libère partiellement les sites les plus actifs d’adsorption dissociative et les sites les plus forts d'adsorption réversible du monoxyde de carbone. L'étude de modélisation SSITKA a démontré la présence de deux intermédiaires carbonés. / O desempenho de catalisadores heterogêneos é geralmente atribuído a presença de sítios ativos. A concentração, a atividade intrínseca, a localização e a estabilidade destes sítios são os principais parâmetros de todos os sistemas catalíticos conhecidos. Métodos cinéticos transientes, como análise por SSITKA, são técnicas poderosas para o estudo cinético de reações catalíticas heterogêneas. Catalisadores à base de ferro com a presença de promotores metálicos (Bi e Pb) causaram notável aumento na taxa de produção de olefinas leves, criando a possibilidade de realizar a síntese de Fischer-Tropsch em condições amenas de reação e até mesmo em pressão atmosférica. Experimentos cinéticos transientes mostraram que a dissociação de CO é facilitada na presença de promotores devido a retirada de átomos de oxigênio pela ação do carboneto de ferro. O catalisador de cobalto suportado em zeólita mordenita apresentou maior valor da taxa de reação determinada por SSITKA entre todos os catalisadores suportados em zeólitas estudados. No entanto, ZSM-5 utilizada como suporte apresentou menor taxa de reação, provavelmente devido à localização das nanopartículas de cobalto na superfície externa da zeólita A localização dos sítios ativos de cobalto em catalisadores bifuncionais formados por cobalto e zeólita apresentou grande impacto sobre a taxa de reação e em particular sobre a seletividade dos hidrocarbonetos. A proximidade entre os sítios ativos de cobalto e os sítios ativos de Brønsted demonstrou ser um parâmetro chave para obter uma alta seletividade e alto rendimento de hidrocarbonetos ramificados. O estudo combinando a análise SSITKA com técnicas de caracterização de catalisadores revelou que a deposição de carbono e a aglomeração de nanopartículas de cobalto durante a reação foram os responsáveis pela desativação do catalisador de cobalto suportado em sílica. A regeneração do catalisador via hidrogenação diminuiu o depósito de carbono e liberou parcialmente os sítios mais ativos para a dissociação de monóxido de carbono, assim como os sítios envolvidos na adsorção reversível de monóxido de carbono. A modelagem SSITKA demonstrou a presença de duas espécies intermediárias de carbono. / The catalytic performance of heterogeneous catalysts is usually attributed to the presence of active sites. The concentration, intrinsic activity, localisation and stability of these sites are major parameters of all known catalytic systems. Transient kinetic methods such as Steady State Transient Kinetic Analysis (SSITKA) are powerful tools for carrying out kinetic studies of heterogeneous catalytic reactions. Promotion of iron catalysts with metals used for soldering (Bi and Pb) results a remarkable increase in the light olefin production rate with the possibility to conduct Fischer-Tropsch synthesis at very mild reaction conditions (low pressure) and even at atmospheric pressure. Transient kinetic experiments showed facilitation of CO dissociation in the presence of promoters by scavenging O atoms from iron carbide. Cobalt catalyst supported by mordenite zeolite presented higher value of SSITKA rate constant among all catalysts studied. On the other hand, the ZSM-5 as support presented the lowest reaction rate, probably due to the localization of cobalt nanoparticles on the external surface of the zeolite Localization of cobalt active sites in bifunctional cobalt-zeolite catalysts has a major impact on the reaction rate and in particular on the hydrocarbon selectivity. A proximity between the cobalt active site and Brønsted active sites was found to be a key parameter to obtain higher selectivity and yield of isomerized hydrocarbons. SSITKA combined with catalyst characterization revealed that carbon deposition and cobalt nanoparticle agglomeration were responsible for the deactivation of silica supported cobalt catalysts. The carbon deposition led to a decrease in the number of carbon-chemisorbed intermediates, which yield methane through their hydrogenation. Catalyst rejuvenation in hydrogen lessened the amounts of deposited carbon species and partially released the most active sites of carbon monoxide dissociative adsorption and stronger sites of carbon monoxide reversible adsorption. The SSITKA modeling demonstrated the presence of two intermediates carbon species.

Research on the co-feeding of ammonia into the Fischer-Tropsch (FTS) process over ironbased catalysts revealed that the presence of ammonia during the FTS leads to the formation of nitrogen-containing compounds (NCCs). Recent studies on the addition of ammonia to the FTS process, now known as the Nitrogen Fischer-Tropsch (NFTS) process, reported that the production of NCCs during the NFTS process is enhanced by the presence of oxygenates. The studies, therefore, suggested that oxygenates are the primary precursors of NCCs. However, due to the gap in knowledge related to the NFTS reactions mechanisms, the validity of this assumption is still unknown. In this thesis, the aim was to investigate the correlation between the presence of oxygenates under the FTS conditions and the formation of NCCs under the NFTS conditions and check the suitability of various iron-based catalysts for the NFTS process. From literature, four ironbased catalysts, known for yielding a high percentage of oxygenates, were identified, synthesised, characterised and then tested under FTS conditions to determine the optimum reaction conditions for oxygenates formation. It was found that high oxygenates selectivity can be achieved at low temperature and high space velocity as at these operating conditions the occurrence of secondary reactions involving oxygenates are limited. Furthermore, the catalysts were tested under NFTS conditions to determine their catalytic performance and their selectivity towards NCCs. During the NFTS process, in addition to the decrease in the CO conversion, a significant drop in the oxygenates and CO2 selectivity followed by the formation of NCCs were observed. These results confirmed a sight activity inhibiting effect of ammonia and pointed out the correlation between the presence of oxygenates and the formation of NCCs under FTS and NFTS processes respectively. At the conditions applied, selectivities of up to 17.9 C% of NCCs (predominantly nitriles) could be obtained. This modified process may therefore be considered as an important variation of the FTS process with greatly enhanced chemicals production potential.

Bifunctional catalysts consisting of palladium or platinum and supported on amorphous silica-alumina were prepared and tested in the hydrocracking of n-hexadecane, which is considered to be representative of n-paraffins in hydrocracker feeds. In addition to the evaluation of the  physicochemical properties, a comprehensive study on catalyst activity and selectivity has been conducted, in the full range of conversions. A theoretical model was proposed to fit the experimental conversion-selectivity data. The n-hexadecane reactivity pattern was expressed in terms of a reaction network involving lumps consisting of monobranched and multibranched n-hexadecane isomers, and cracking products. Pseudo first order kinetics and irreversible reaction steps were assumed in order to obtain the kinetic constants of each step. For the same metallic molar loading, a platinum-based catalyst proved more active than a palladium one. The reaction network model showed that cracking products were produced by means of a bifunctional mechanism on palladium catalysts, with n-hexadecane isomers as intermediates. However, on platinum catalysts, an additional monofunctional mechanism was observed. The noble metal catalyzes the hydrogenolysis of n-hexadecane without requiring any acid function. An increase in the platinum loading leads to an increase in the importance of this direct cracking route. The deactivation in the platinum-based catalysts is only due to coke formation, which deactivates the metal sites. The regeneration by means of a Temperature-Programmed Oxidation does not lead to a complete recovery of the metal function, according to the volumetric chemisorption measurements and the experimental selectivity  data. Further work is required to determine the real causes.