HYDROCARBON SYNTHESIS FROM CO AND H2

摘要

An improved method for the synthesis of hydrocarbons with reduced methane formation and for the selective generation of olefinic hydrocarbons, preferably C2-C5 olefins inclusive, which method comprises the steps of passing a CO and H2 synthesis gas stream over a catalyst at a temperature and pressure for a time sufficient to generate the desired olefinic products, wherein the improvement consists in using as a catalyst ruthenium on a support comprising at least one refractory Group VB metal oxide. The weight loading of the ruthenium may range from about 0.01 to about 15 wt. % based on the total catalyst weight. The ruthenium average crystallite size is preferably less than 5 nm (50A). The operating conditions of the instant process are typical for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.