Improving the Accessibility of Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Catalyst Layers by Insertion of Transport Pores

Slow diffusion of reactants inside the pores of cobalt-based Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis catalysts is a result of the production of long-chained hydrocarbons, which remain liquid under reaction conditions thereby lowering the molecular diffusivity of the reactant gases in solution. This limits the maximal utilizable diffusion length in FT synthesis catalysts. Moreover, the diffusion inside the catalyst is additionally hindered by the tortuous structure and narrow pores. To obtain a higher productivity, catalyst layers with additionally introduced transport pores can be used, which

4.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................44 4.2 Theoretical Basis ............................................................................................44