Project Duration: 2023-2026

Gas-to-Liquids (GtL) processes, which convert natural gas or other feedstocks into jet fuel or gasoline, are poised to become a key alternative to traditional oil refining. At the heart of the GtL process is the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reaction, where syngas is catalytically converted into synthetic fuels. This thesis focuses on the development of multifunctional catalysts designed for the efficient and sustainable production of fuels through FT, with an emphasis on selectively optimizing their surface chemistry. Additionally, the impact of surface chemistry on catalyst performance will be explored using the advanced mixing capabilities of the NetMIX microreactor technology. The outcomes of this research will influence the entire fuel production value chain, leading to significant cost savings for consumers and supporting decarbonization efforts across multiple levels.

•Preliminary results indicated that varying the support treatment can effectively alter the selectivity of the catalyst.

•The synthesized materials exhibited minimal wax production.

•High selectivity was achieved for both the jet fuel and diesel fuel ranges.

•The catalyst demonstrated excellent stability during extended reaction tests.

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of produced materials: carbon nanotubes containing cobalt nanoparticles (in red).