Catalytic Behavior of Co/Al2O3 Nanocatalyst under External Magnetic Field

Abstract

Magnetic behavior of Co/Al2O3 catalyst in Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis is performed using a magnetically fixed bed reactor. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM) method, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) method are used to analyze the catalyst. Magnetic field of 0.015 T is suggested for CO hydrogenation on Co/Al2O3 catalyst with fixed bed reactor. Significant effects of magnetic fields are observed in the FT reaction of CO hydrogenation over Co/Al2O3 catalyst. The CO conversion value increases from 78% to 86% at 250 oC with external magnetic field. The apparent activation energy of FT reaction (102.33kJ/mol without external magnetic field) is reduced (96.45 kJ/mol with applying external magnetic field), and the catalytic activity of Co/Al2O3 catalyst is improved by applying the external magnetic fields during FT process at low temperatures (200-250 oC). The results indicated that the external magnetic fields improved both the rate of reaction and catalytic selectivity to desired hydrocarbons on Co/Al2O3 catalyst.