Modeling and Sensitivity Analysis of a Catalyst Pellet with Non-Uniform Activity Distribution in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

Abstract

In this work, modeling of a catalyst pellet (uniform, non-uniform) for Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) is studied. Under FTS conditions the pores of catalyst pellet are filled with heavy hydrocarbons leading to transport restrictions through the pellet. On the other hand, the active materials used as catalysts are often expensive metals dispersed on large-surface area supports. In order to understand the catalyst behavior aiming to improve its performance parameters such as effectiveness factor and yield modeling of a catalyst pellet with various types of non-uniform activity distributions are examined. The models were solved by OCFE method at non-isothermal conditions. Moreover, a parametric sensitivity analysis has been carried out to compare the effects of various non-uniform activity distributions, the pellet size, the feed composition and the temperature on the performance of the catalyst.