Compatibility of Different Automotive Elastomers in Paraffinic Diesel Fuel

The introduction of new fuels to power internal combustion engines requires testing the compatibility of such fuels with materials commonly used in fuel supply systems. This paper investigates the influence of alternative fuels on the acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber and fluoroelastomer used in the automotive industry. In the study, conventional diesel fuel, its blend with 7% of fatty acid methyl esters and paraffinic diesel fuel produced with the Fisher Tropsch synthesis from natural gas were interacted with the elastomers. The immersion tests were carried out at room temperature (20 °C) for 168 h. The effect was evaluated based on changes in the selected rubber’s volume, mass and hardness. It has been confirmed that the synthetic component without aromatic hydrocarbons had a different effect on the tested rubber than did conventional fuel. In follow-up work, the selected rubbers were also subjected to microscopic observation. The most frequently observed effect was the washing out of the seal protective layer.

Recent developments in catalyst pretreatment technologies for cobalt based Fisher–Tropsch synthesis

Stringent environmental regulations and energy insecurity necessitate the development of an integrated process to produce high-quality fuels from renewable resources and to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, in this case Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS). The FT activity and selectivity are significantly influenced by the pretreatment of the catalyst. This article reviews traditional and developing processes for pretreatment of cobalt catalysts with reference to their application in FTS. The activation atmosphere, drying, calcination, reduction conditions and type of support are critical factors that govern the reducibility, dispersion and crystallite size of the active phase. Compared to traditional high temperature H2 activation, both hydrogenation–carbidisation–hydrogenation and reduction–oxidation–reduction pretreatment cycles result in improved metal dispersion and exhibit much higher FTS activity. Cobalt carbide (Co2C) formed by CO treatment has the potential to provide a simpler and more effective way of producing lower olefins, and higher alcohols directly from syngas. Syngas activation or direct synthesis of the metallic cobalt catalyst has the potential to remove the expensive H2 pretreatment procedure, and consequently simplify the pretreatment process, which would make it more economical and thus more attractive to industry.

Techno-Economic Analysis of Biofuel Production Plants Producing Biofuels Using Fisher Tropsch Synthesis

To address rising climate change problems, one significant task is reducing pollution in the transport sector by substituting fossil with biomass-based fuels. One of the potential production methods is by Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. Both gasoline and diesel types of fuel can be produced. For FT fuels a carbon containing feedstock is needed as an end product, it can be processed in multiple ways using various systems, however the main parts of production are biomass preparation and gasification, where afterwards clean-up of the synthetic gas is required. A liquid form from the syngas is achieved via FT synthesis, after which hydroprocessing is needed for separating naphtha, diesel, and lighter-molecularweight hydrocarbons or other components. For comparison of biofuel plants, the biomass of choice, production processes and end products were analysed, as well as economic feasibility of technologies, to determine whether the costs and investments required are reasonable for the possible outcome.

Study of the Reduction of Fe on Reduced Graphene Oxide as a Catalyst for Carbon Monoxide Reduction

This work aims at optimizing the H2 reduction time of Fe/rGO as a preparatory step for the use of the reduced catalyst in Fisher-Tropsch synthesis (FTS). The catalytic system used was Iron Nanoparticles (NPs) loaded on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) support. The as prepared sample was analyzed by TEM, FTIR and XRD spectroscopy. Samples of the produced Fe/rGO catalyst were used to optimize the reduction conditions in the FBR reactor. The three samples were reduced under 1atm H2 gas flow of 50 sccm at 500°C for 8, 12 and 24 hrs. The samples were collected after reduction and analyzed by XRD, FTIR and TEM imaging. The best condition showing full reduction with minimal sintering was at 12hr.

Review on Fisher-Tropsch Synthesis Method in Liquid Fuel Production

This chapter describes the Fisher-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) method. Although it has been already applied at industrial scale for a century, the FTS has gained renewed interests as it is a key step for converting alternative feedstocks, including biomass to transportation fuels. It is the means by which synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide is converted to hydrocarbon products. The chapter explores that interest in FTS technology is increasing rapidly. In addition, the FTS process and products upgrading are discussed.

X-ray spectroscopic and scattering methods applied to the characterisation of cobalt-based Fischer–Tropsch synthesis catalysts

This review aims to critically assess the use of X-ray techniques, both of a scattering (e.g. X-ray diffraction (XRD), pair distribution function (PDF)) and spectroscopic nature (X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAFS)), in the study of cobalt-based Fisher–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalysts.