The Catalytic Effect of Carbide Formation During Fischer–tropsch Synthesis

Fischer–Tropsch reaction on a fused iron catalyst has been investigated in both isothermal (250 °C) and temperature programmed (25–800 °C) experiments. With the increase in weight of the catalyst during the reaction, the period of catalyst activation decreased and the rate of hydrocarbon formation increased proportionally. Carburization during the reaction was observed to weaken the interaction between CO and Fe and to increase the amount of more weakly held carbon species which are considered to be available for the catalysis.