Intensifying the Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis by reactor structuring – A model study

This paper investigates the intensification of Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis in two types of three-phase catalytic reactors: slurry bubble columns and multi-tubular fixed beds. A simple mathematical model is used to analyse the effect of structuring on the C5+ productivity of these two types of reactors. The results of the model show that decreasing the liquid axial dispersion coefficient with a factor 4 in a slurry bubble column considerably enhances the production of C5+. On the other hand in a fixed bed reactor a similar improvement is obtained when the heat transfer coefficient is improved with a factor 2.5 and the diffusion length in catalyst particles is decreased with a factor 2. Both reactors show a potential improvement in productivity per reactor volume; 20% in the slurry bubble column and 40% in the fixed bed reactor.

► Modelling of Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis in a fixed bed and a slurry bubble column. ► Increasing the productivity in a structured slurry bubble column by 20%. ► Improving the conversion by 40% in a fixed bed by process intensification. ► Structuring can be used to reduce reactor volume rather than increasing conversion.