Recent advances on Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in micro-reactor

The mass transfer and heat transfer of the chemical reaction can be improved by micro-reactor technology, which provides a new platform for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. This paper reviews the researches and development of micro-reactor technology in the recent year and the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in micro-reactor. The structure researches of micro-reaction devices have gone through the developments of single channel, multi channel and complex channel. The catalysts can be divided into two categories of micro particle and wall coating. Along with developments of micro reactor, the catalysts studies have also made significant progress. The activity of catalysts in micro-reaction device is 8 to 10 times higher than that in fixed-bed reactor. The studies of numerical analysis are summarized. This paper also introduces the status of pilot test and commercialization of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in micro-reactor. It is expected the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in micro-reactor will have a deeper development in future. © 2016, Chemical Industry Press. All right reserved.