Theoretical Insights on Chain Growth Mechanisms in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis at High CO Coverage on Ru Particles

Abstract

The global demand for energy is projected to increase by over 70% by 2050 [43] . Such demands coupled with decreasing oil reserves will ultimately require sustainable strategies for the production of clean fuels. Fischer Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) is a well-established industrial process that can be used to convert syngas derived from emerging energy sources such as natural gas and biomass feedstocks into fuels and chemicals [1,2,3,4]. FTS involves the activation of CO in the presence of hydrogen to form hydrocarbon monomers that subsequently polymerize to form nalkanes, 1-alkenes, aldehydes and alcohols. The reaction is typically carried out on group VIII metals including Fe, Co, Ru, Rh and Ni favorable than CO insertion, the kinetics associated with the probability of CHx intermediates finding one another in the dense CO adlayer may limit such paths.