FischerTropschProzesse

Fischer-Tropsch-Prozesse, often abbreviated as FT-Prozesse, refers to a group of chemical reactions that convert a mixture of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2), known as synthesis gas or syngas, into a wide range of liquid hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons can be used as synthetic fuels, such as synthetic diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel, as well as waxes and lubricants.

The process was developed in the 1920s by German chemists Franz Fischer and Hans Tropsch. It was initially crucial for Germany during World War II when access to crude oil was limited. The FT-Prozesse involves passing syngas, typically produced from coal gasification or natural gas reforming, over a catalyst, usually iron or cobalt-based, at elevated temperatures and pressures. The primary reaction involves the polymerization of methylene groups derived from CO and H2.

The specific products obtained depend heavily on the catalyst used, the operating temperature and pressure, and the syngas composition. For instance, iron catalysts tend to favor the production of lighter olefins and oxygenates, while cobalt catalysts are more selective towards linear paraffins, which are ideal for diesel fuel production. Modern advancements in Fischer-Tropsch technology aim to improve catalyst selectivity, activity, and durability, as well as to reduce the energy intensity and cost of syngas production. This process offers a pathway to produce liquid fuels from alternative, non-petroleum feedstocks like coal, natural gas, biomass, and even captured carbon dioxide.