Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis with H2/CO2 – Catalyst Behavior under Transient Conditions

Catalytic reactors are usually operated under steady-state conditions; however, transient operation may lead to benefits for the overall process. Two different methodologies are presented to study catalyst activity under transient operation conditions: (i) step change experiments combined with mathematical modeling and (ii) periodic changes. Fischer-Tropsch synthesis using iron-based catalyst is the selected example reaction. According to both methods, the catalyst activity under transient operation can be described in the range of validity of the selected rate equation and parameter values determined under steady-state conditions.