Fischer‐Tropsch Synthesis ‐ Industrial

Abstract The presently operating Fischer–Tropsch (FT) plants, as well as those under construction and those being planned, are summarized. As long as the price of crude oil remains above about US$50 per barrel, the FT process is economically viable. The advantages and disadvantages of the various types of FT reactors currently used are discussed. For economic reasons only, variously promoted and/or supported Co‐ and Fe‐based catalysts are used. The many apparently different FT kinetic equations that have been published do in fact appear to be effectively similar. The various factors that control the FT product selectivity, the catalyst activity and deactivation, are temperature, gas composition, operating pressure, catalyst type, and catalyst promotion. By suitably combining the appropriate FT catalyst, FT reactor type, operating conditions, and downstream product workup processes, the amount of high quality gasoline, or diesel fuel, or linear α‐alkenes can be maximized to suite the demands of the market.