Efficient conversion of syngas to linear α-olefins by phase-pure χ-Fe5C2

Peng Wang (), Fu-Kuo Chiang, Jiachun Chai, A. Iulian Dugulan, Juan Dong, Wei Chen, Robin J. P. Broos, Bo Feng, Yuanjun Song, Yijun Lv, Quan Lin, Rongming Wang, Ivo A. W. Filot, Zhuowu Men () and Emiel J. M. Hensen ()
Additional contact information
Peng Wang: CHN Energy
Fu-Kuo Chiang: CHN Energy
Jiachun Chai: CHN Energy
A. Iulian Dugulan: Delft University of Technology
Juan Dong: CHN Energy
Wei Chen: Eindhoven University of Technology
Robin J. P. Broos: Eindhoven University of Technology
Bo Feng: CHN Energy
Yuanjun Song: CHN Energy
Yijun Lv: CHN Energy
Quan Lin: CHN Energy
Rongming Wang: University of Science and Technology Beijing
Ivo A. W. Filot: Eindhoven University of Technology
Zhuowu Men: CHN Energy
Emiel J. M. Hensen: Eindhoven University of Technology

Nature, 2024, vol. 635, issue 8037, 102-107

Abstract: Abstract Oil has long been the dominant feedstock for producing fuels and chemicals, but coal, natural gas and biomass are increasingly explored alternatives1–3. Their conversion first generates syngas, a mixture of CO and H2, which is then processed further using Fischer–Tropsch (FT) chemistry. However, although commercial FT technology for fuel production is established, using it to access valuable chemicals remains challenging. A case in point is linear α-olefins (LAOs), which are important chemical intermediates obtained by ethylene oligomerization at present4–8. The commercial high-temperature FT process and the FT-to-olefin process under development at present both convert syngas directly to LAOs, but also generate much CO2 waste that leads to a low carbon utilization efficiency9–14. The efficiency is further compromised by substantially fewer of the converted carbon atoms ending up as valuable C5–C10 LAOs than are found in the C2–C4 olefins that dominate the product mixtures9–14. Here we show that the use of the original phase-pure χ-iron carbide can minimize these syngas conversion problems: tailored and optimized for the process of FT to LAOs, this catalyst exhibits an activity at 290 °C that is 1–2 orders higher than dedicated FT-to-olefin catalysts can achieve above 320 °C (refs. 12–15), is stable for 200 h, and produces desired C2–C10 LAOs and unwanted CO2 with carbon-based selectivities of 51% and 9% under industrially relevant conditions. This higher catalytic performance, persisting over a wide temperature range (250–320 °C), demonstrates the potential of the system for developing a practically relevant technology.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08078-5

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