The effects of different promoters such as Mo, Fe, Cu, and K on iron catalysts supported on activated carbon were investigated. The base case catalyst studied consists of 6 wt% Mo, 16 wt% Fe, 0.8 wt% Cu and 0.9 wt% K. Molybdenum loadings of 0, 3, 6, and 12 wt% were studied along with iron loadings of 0, 8, 16, and 32%, copper loadings of 0, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 wt%, and potassium loadings of 0, 0.45, 0.9, and 1.8 wt%. The reactor was operated at 300ºC, 300 psig, and 6 Nl/gcat/h. The syngas ratio (H2/CO) of 1.0 is used. All reactions were carried out over a period of 72 hours. The gaseous products data were analyzed using in-line gas chromatography and liquid phases were analyzed using offline gas chromatography. Catalyst activity was measured using BET, XRD and TPR.
The addition of Mo increases catalyst stability but lowers CO conversion. The oxygenate production is lowest for 3% and 12% Mo. A decrease in oil production is observed with increase in Mo loading. An increase in Fe loading increase CO conversion and oil production. Changes in the Fe loading do not significantly affect aqueous production. Changes in Cu loading have little effect on all parameters. The absence of K in the catalyst causes a very low conversion while all other K catalysts have comparable CO conversions. Increasing the K loading causes an increase in oil production. 
 

Fischer–Tropsch, metal promoters, activated carbon, water gas shift reaction, kerosene, iron