Cobalt supported on carbon nanotubes(CNTs)-covered alumina has been recently developed and successfully utilized as a catalyst in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis(FTS).Problems associated with shaping of Co/CNTs into extrudates or pellets as well as catalyst attrition rendered these materials unfavorable for industrial applications.In this investigation regularγ-and nano-structured(N-S)alumina as well as CNTs-covered regularγ-and N-S-alumina supports were impregnated by cobalt nitrate solution to make new cobalt-based catalysts which were also promoted by Ru.The catalysts were characterized and tested in a micro reactor to evaluate their applicability in FTS.γ-Al2O3 was prepared by calcination of bohemite and N-S-Al2O3 was prepared by sol-gel method using aluminum chloride as starting material.Catalyst evaluations indicated that N-S-Al2O3 was superior to regularγ-Al2O3 and that CNTs-covered alumina supports were favored over non-covered ones in terms of activity and heavy hydrocarbon selectivity.These were justified by porosimetric characteristics of the catalysts and existence of CNTs points of view. CNTs-covered catalysts also showed higher wax selectivity and better resistance to deactivation.Furthermore,TPR analysis indicated that the cobalt aluminate phase,which is responsible for the permanent deactivation of alumina supported Co-based catalysts,did not form on alumina supported Co-based catalysts covered with CNTs due to weaker interactions between cobalt and alumina.
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