Support effects on ruthenium catalyst for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

Series of Ru-based F-T synthesis catalysts, respectively with different supports of SiO₂, Al₂O₃ and Beta zeolite, were prepared by impregnation method. Characterization techniques such as N₂-adsorption, XRD, NH₃-TPD, H₂-TPR, H₂-TPD, XPS and CO-DRIFTS were used to study the textural structure, phase, acidity, reduction behavior, chemical adsorption and electron properties of the catalysts. F-T synthesis performances of the catalysts were investigated as well. The results indicated that the supports imposed obvious effects on the reduction and dispersion of Ru, therefore led to the differences in acidity and surface properties of the catalysts. F-T reaction performance showed that the relatively stable Ru/SiO₂ catalyst exhibited high selectivity to heavy hydrocarbons, ascribing to its less acidity, weaker metal-support interaction, and better Ru particle dispersion.