The FT process typically occurs in a reactor where syngas is introduced over the catalyst. The key reactions involve the formation of hydrocarbons through successive hydrogenation of carbon monoxide. The reactions can be simplified as follows:
CO + 2H2 → -CH2- + H2O (formation of hydrocarbon chains) CO + H2O → CO2 + H2 (water-gas shift reaction, particularly with iron catalysts)
The process conditions, such as temperature, pressure, and syngas composition, along with the choice of catalyst, influence the chain length of the hydrocarbons produced.
