Synchrotron computed microtomography (Cmt) and micro X-ray fluorescence (iXrf) as tools to map fischer-tropsch catalysts

Gas-to-liquids (GTL) remains an attractive pathway to produce clean fuels from carbon feedstocks via the synthesis gas route. Technological advances in the Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) option to synthesize clean hydrocarbon fuels continue but a highly efficient process remains elusive. Heterogeneous catalyst assemblies undergo changes during the GTL conversion reaction and an in-depth characterization of these catalytic materials would help design the next-generation more efficient catalysts. Computed Microtomography (CMT) and micro X-ray fluorescence (iXRF), techniques at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS), Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), are complementary to allow mapping of catalyst constituents. The experimental set-up, collected data, and the potential of CMT and IXRF techniques for monitoring changes in the catalyst composition during F-T synthesis will be presented.