Influence of reactor materials on i-C4 synthesis from CO hydrogenation over ZrO2 based catalysts

The effect of reactor materials on the catalytic performance of the isosynthesis was investigated. Al2O3 and several calcium salts promoted zirconium dioxide based catalysts were prepared by mechanical mixing method and evaluated in the isosynthesis reaction in a quartz lined stainless steel tubular reactor and a stainless steel tubular reactor, respectively. It was found that stainless steel tubular reactor seriously affected the selectivity of isosynthesis, while quartz lined stainless steel tubular reactor was favorable for the formation of i-C4 hydrocarbons and suppressing the formation of CO2. The addition of Al2O3 into ZrO2 could largely enhance the activity while maintain the i-C4 selectivity of pure ZrO2. CaF2 or CaSO4 as an additive promoted the formation of i-C4 in the meantime maintain the activity of pure ZrO2. The influence of reaction temperatures on the catalytic performance of the catalysts in the quartz lined stainless steel tubular reactor was also investigated.