Fischer–Tropsch synthesis over a Co/SiO2 catalyst modified with Mn- and Zr under practical conditions

•FT synthesis activity of modified Co/SiO2 catalyst was investigated.•Co + Mn + Zr/SiO2 catalyst possessed greater activity in the FT synthesis reaction.•Co + Mn + Zr/SiO2 catalyst maintained catalytic activity for 168 h.•Presence of 4 ppm H2S dramatically reduced FT synthesis activity.•Co + Mn + Zr/SiO2 catalyst exhibited superior sulfur resistance compared to Co/SiO2.

Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis activity and the stability of a Co/SiO2 catalyst modified with Mn- and Zr were examined under various practical conditions. Dependence of FT synthesis on reaction pressure and bench-scale FT synthesis were investigated. Evaluating catalyst lifetime during continuous FT reactions was conducted. The Co + Mn + Zr/SiO2 catalyst exhibited relatively greater activity and stable reactivity for 168 h. Sulfur resistance of catalysts were investigated and results showed that the presence of 4 ppm H2S drastically affected catalytic activity. The Co + Mn + Zr/SiO2 catalyst exhibited greater activity even with H2 presence and the sulfur poisoning rate was almost similar on both Co + Mn + Zr/SiO2 and Co/SiO2 catalysts.

Graphical abstractDependence of FT synthesis activity on reaction time over Co + Mn + Zr/SiO2 and Co/SiO2 upon H2S addition.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide