Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis, Catalysts and Catalysis (Volume 163) (Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis, Volume 163)

The introduction of the catalytic synthesis of ammonia was widely recognized. The Nobel Prize in 1918 for chemistry was awarded to Fritz Haber for his developments that led to the synthesis of ammonia from the elements. The development of the very high pressure ammonia synthesis and its commercial success gave Germany a decided leadership position in high pressure process during the early part of the twentieth century. Rapidly following the ammonia synthesis, the commercial production of methanol from synthesis gas was a commercial success. After much work, Bergius finally was able to show that heating coal at high temperatures under high pressures of hydrogen led to the production of liquid products. Fritz Fischer, director of the coal research laboratory, worked to develop a coal conversion process that could compete with the direct process developed by Bergius. During the 1920s, the work by Fischer and coworkers led to what is now known as the Fischer-Tropsch process. The advances in high pressure process technology led to the Nobel Prize being awarded in 1932 to Bergius and Carl Bosch; however, the Fischer-Tropsch scientific advances were not afforded this honor. The Fischer-Tropsch process also lost out to the direct coal liquefaction process in the production of synfuels in Germany during the 1935-1945 period, for both technological and political reasons. The declining supply of crude oils worldwide and the ever increasing demand for petroleum products from China, India, Europe and the US have recently propelled crude prices to unprecedented levels. The future availability of traditional crudes is becoming a source of discussion and debate.

Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis, Catalysts and Catalysis offers a timely and comprehensive report on the processing of relatively inexpensive coal deposits into transportation fluids using Fisher-Tropsch process Technology. In addition to recent catalysts and process developments, the book contains the history of the Fisher-Tropsch in Germany and Japan based on captured documents by allied forces.

* Increase the understanding of FT process development
* Addresses four major areas of interest in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) The declining supply of crude oils worldwide and the ever increasing demand for petroleum products from China, India, Europe and the US have recently propelled crude prices to unprecedented levels. The future availability of traditional crudes is becoming a source of discussion and debate. Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis, Catalysts and Catalysis offers a timely and comprehensive report on the processing of relatively inexpensive coal deposits into transportation fluids using Fisher-Tropsch process Technology. In addition to recent catalysts and process developments, the book contains the history of the Fisher-Tropsch in Germany and Japan based on captured documents by allied forces. * Increase the understanding of FT process development * Addresses four major areas of interest in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS)