Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process development: steps from fundamentals to industrial practices

Recent advance using Synfuels China's Fischer-Trospch (F-T) synthesis technology has been made in the 4000 bbl/d coal-to-liquids (CTL) plants in China. Fundamental studies with more than twenty years solid data and experience accumulation in catalysis and kinetic studies have paved the way to the successful demonstration of Synfuels China's medium temperature FT (MTFT) synthesis process. Density Functional Theory (DFT) together with the sophisticated catalyst property characterization tools has been routinely applied during catalyst development. Fundamental R&D efforts integrating all aspects of chemical engineering have greatly been enhanced by combining the fundamental tools covering the F-T synthesis mechanism, reaction engineering, and process optimization.