The catalytic synthesis of hydrocarbons from H2/CO mixtures over the group VIII metals I. The specific activities and product distributions of supported metals

Specific activities have been determined in the synthesis of hydrocarbons from CO-H2 mixtures over the Group VIII metals. In the methanation reaction the relative activities of supported metals, based on the number of surface metal atoms, are significantly different than similar comparisons in older studies which did not correct for variations in metal surface area. The methanation reaction was fitted to a power rate law of the form rCH4 = Ae−EmRT PH2 X PCOY over all the Group VIII metals except Os. In addition, accurate product distributions, determined under comparable conditions and at low conversions, are provided. The necessity of catalyst characterization, such as the use of selective chemisorption techniques, is clearly evident in this study.