Selective conversion of syngas to light olefins

• DOI: 10.1126/science.aaf1835
• Publication Date: 2016-03-03T19:20:16Z
• Authors: Feng Jiao; Jinjing Li; Xiulian Pan; Jianping Xiao; Haobo Li; Hao Ma; Mingming Wei; Yang Pan; Zhongyue Zhou; Mingrun Li; Shu Miao; Jian Li; Yifeng Zhu; Dong Xiao; Ting He; Junhao Yang; Fei Qi; Qiang Fu; Xinhe Bao
• Keywords: Fischer–Tropsch process; Bifunctional catalyst

Although considerable progress has been made in direct synthesis gas (syngas) conversion to light olefins (C2(=)-C4(=)) via Fischer-Tropsch (FTS), the wide product distribution remains a challenge, with theoretical limit of only 58% for C2-C4 hydrocarbons. We present process that reaches C2(=)-C4(=) selectivity as high 80% and 94% at carbon monoxide (CO) 17%. This is enabled by bifunctional catalyst affording two types active sites complementary properties. The partially reduced oxide surface (ZnCrO(x)) activates CO H2, C-C coupling subsequently manipulated within confined acidic pores zeolites. No obvious deactivation observed 110 hours. Furthermore, this composite may allow use coal- biomass-derived syngas low H2/CO ratio.