Influence of Impregnation and Ion Exchange Sequence on Metal Localization, Acidity and Catalytic Performance of Cobalt BEA Zeolite Catalysts in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

Cobalt distribution between the external surface and micropores and acidity of the large pore BEA zeolite were controlled by choosing the sequence of impregnation and ion exchange procedures. Higher concentration of ion exchangeable cobalt was observed in the catalyst prepared by ion-exchange of the zeolite proton form. The presence of Na+ instead of H+ ions in the exchange positions of zeolite favored deposition of cobalt on the external surface. The acid sites in the zeolite micropores can be then restored by subsequent ion exchange of sodium with ammonium nitrate and calcination. The catalytic performance of the cobalt zeolite catalysts prepared using different impregnation and ion exchange procedures was tested in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Higher reaction rates were observed over the catalysts, which did not contain cobalt ions in the cation sites of the zeolite. Lower methane selectivity, higher selectivity to long chain hydrocarbons and high fraction of isomerized products are observed when cobalt species are located on the zeolite outer surface and acid sites inside the BEA zeolite micropores.