Kinetics of CO2 Hydrogenation to Hydrocarbons over Iron-Silica Catalysts

Abstract

The conversion of CO₂ to hydrocarbons is increasingly seen as a potential alternative source of fuel and chemicals, while at the same time contributing to addressing global warming effects. An understanding of kinetics and mass transfer limitations is vital to both optimise catalyst performance and to scale up the whole process. In this work we report on a systematic investigation of the influence of the different process parameters, including pore size, catalyst support particle diameter, reaction temperature, pressure and reactant flow rate on conversion and selectivity of iron nanoparticle -silica catalysts. The results provided on activation energy and mass transfer limitations represent the basis to fully design a reactor system for the effective catalytic conversion of CO₂ to hydrocarbons.

Keywords: CO2 utilization; Fischer-Topsch process; catalysis; heterogeneous catalysis; reverse water-gas shift reaction.