China is rich in coal resources but has comparatively limited crude oil and natural gas. Therefore, conversion of coal to clean liquid fuels, which are mainly synthesized by crude oil, has received much attention in China.

A research group led by Prof. DING Yunjie and Prof. ZHU Hejun from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and their collaborators developed the activated carbon-supported Co catalysts to produce clean liquid fuels from syngas with high selectivity. Using these catalysts, they have realized industrially synthesis of 150 kt/a of clean liquid fuels from syngas derived from coal in slurry-bed reactors in Yulin, China.

The catalyst test showed that at the industrial facility's full load, the syngas' total conversion exceeded 98%, the selectivity of methane was less than 7%, and that of C₃₊ hydrocarbons/oxygenates exceeded 92%.

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is the most versatile process for converting syngas into various chemical products. Traditionally Co-based catalysts have poor selectivity of liquid which hinders their industrial applications.

The newly-developed Co-based catalysts were supported by carbon materials, leading to a high FTS activity, high C₃₊ selectivity, and good stability. Moreover, the catalysts could be recycled by the combustion method with no solid wastes.

"The direct conversion of syngas into clean liquid fuels using carbon material supported by a Co-based catalyst can be accomplished at an industrial scale in China, thereby creating more opportunities for clean and efficient use of coal resources," said Prof. DING.

The industrial facility of 150 kt/a of clean liquid fuels from syngas (Image by ZHAO Zi'ang)