Effect of calcium promoter on a precipitated iron–manganese catalyst for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

A series of precipitated Fe/Mn Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalysts incorporated with calcium promoter were prepared by the combination of co-precipitation and spray-drying technology. The catalysts were characterized by using N2 physisorption, CO2 temperature-programmed desorption and Mössbauer spectroscopy methods. FTS performances of the catalysts were tested in a 1 dm3 continuous stirred tank reactor. It is found that calcium promoter has negligible effect on the textural properties, and the addition of calcium promoter can enhance the surface basicity of the catalyst. An appropriate amount of calcium promoter can promote the reduction and carburization of the catalysts during the reduction and Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) reaction in syngas, but the excessive addition of calcium promoter will decrease the extent of reduction and carburization. The reaction results indicated that the activities of both FTS and water-gas shift (WGS) decrease with the incorporation of calcium promoter. Calcium promoter can inhibit the hydrogenation ability, suppress the formation of methane, and enhance the selectivities to olefin and higher molecular weight products.