Suppression of Carbon Deposition in the Iron-Catalyzed Production of Lower Olefins from Synthesis Gas

A tapered-element oscillating microbalance was used to evaluate carbon deposition on a highly selective and active supported iron catalyst for the production of lower olefins. With increasing pressure, the H2/CO ratio had a profound effect on the carbon deposition rate and accordingly, conditions leading to minimal carbon deposition, low methane selectivity, and high olefin selectivity were identified.