The
thermal behavior of potassium C1–C12
n-alkanoates (K-carboxylates) were studied over
the temperature range T/K = (243 to 873). A number
of problems in industrial Fischer–Tropsch facilities were attributed
to these compounds, but this study also revealed some beneficial effect
that may directly be related to the thermal behavior of potassium
methanoate. The unusually low melting point of potassium methanoate, T/K = (442.2 ± 0.3), combined with its thermal stability
to T/K ≈ (693), may explain the ease of distribution
of the potassium promoter of iron-based Fischer–Tropsch catalysts
during synthesis even when potassium promoter is added separately.
The C2–C12 K-carboxylates were all thermally
stable at temperatures T/K ≤ (713), and significant
mass loss was not observed at T/K ≤ (748).
The thermal stability and high melting point of potassium propanoate, T/K = (636.9 ± 0.3) and potassium butanoate, T/K = (623.1 ± 0.3), in particular caused these compounds
to be prone to cause pressure drop problems in refining units. The
C4–C12 K-carboxylates melted to a liquid
crystal phase first, before clearing at higher temperature. One or
more solid–solid transitions were observed in all of the K-carboxylates,
with the exception of potassium hexanoate.