Description
Reference
Number: U-4719
Invention Description: Ferrihydrites are found in nature and they can be precursors to
various iron oxides. Their x-ray diffraction patterns usually vary between
2-lines for amorphous ferrihydrite to 6-lines for a more crystalline form. This
technology describes the synthesis of iron based ferrihydrite type catalysts for
the Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis. In particular, 2-line ferrihydrite
catalysts have been synthesized and characterized using x-ray diffraction and
FTIR spectroscopy. Interestingly, the sample prepared for catalytic applications
in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis contained other metals usually absent in
natural occurring ferrihydrites. This synthesis represents a new way to produce
ferrihydrite nanoparticles with ultra small dimensions not usually found in
nature and exhibits a very high surface area. The ferrihydrite was modified with
F-T promoter metals and has been shown to be a very active F-T
catalyst.
Market Applications: Declining
natural resources and rapid increase in energy demand resulted in a wide
interest in developing synthetic fuels as an alternative approach to
conventional fossil fuels. The use of the Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis has
been widely investigated as a method to convert syn gas, a mixture of CO and
H2, obtained from coal, natural gas or biomass to a multicomponent
mixture of gasoline, diesel fuel, waxes and other specialty chemicals. The use
of iron catalysts in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is an attractive approach
because these catalysts are inexpensive and have a high degree of water-gas
shift (WGS) activity, which is advantageous when using hydrogen-lean syn gas
obtained from coal gasification. One of the
examples of iron based catalyst is ferrihydrite that can be used in
the production of alternative liquid fuels from the syn gas derived from coal
and/or biomass.
Features, Benefit & Advantages:
· Straightforward
method of synthesis
· Ultra
small particle size
· High
surface area that results in excellent catalytic activity in the Fischer-Tropsch
synthesis
Intellectual
Property: A provisional
patent application has been filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office.
Development
Stage: This
technology is part of an active and ongoing research program that has been
demonstrated to work in proof-of-concept experiments. It is available for
developmental research support and licensing under either exclusive or
non-exclusive terms
Related Research & Publications:
· Dr. Eyring's web page: http://www.chem.utah.edu/directory/faculty/eyring.html
· Dr.
Ernst's web page: http://www.chem.utah.edu/directory/faculty/ernst.html
Key Words:
Ferrihydrite,
Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, alternative fuels.