Honors College Theses

Publication Date

5-9-2024

Major

Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (open access)

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Prakashbhai Bhoi

Abstract

The greatest threat known to humankind today is global warming. It affects every nation on the planet and the natural order of all living things. Consequently, this ongoing crisis necessitates action to scientifically revolutionize important areas of society, including researching modern adaptations of the transportation industry. In that regard, it has been determined that an effective short-term answer to eliminating carbon emissions is to produce sustainable fuels that run cooperatively with the well-established machines of today. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is one such topic of interest, and the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process is an effective way of producing SAF. To that end, the objective of this research was to determine the best conditions that can be utilized for the synthesis of SAF under different catalysts bases, additives, and supporting structures. In addition, this research collectively addresses the impacts of each variable parameter within a Fischer-Tropsch reactor that are common to all reactor types. Altogether, as the relationship of each parameter is paramount when considering the optimal yield and quality of jet fuel through the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process, the following observations have been made. In regard to the most practical catalyst and subsequent reaction parameters, a 8.4 nm – 27 nm particle-sized cobalt-based catalyst supported on bentonite, utilizing potential additives such as 1-Decene or 1-Octene, can be effectively paired with a reaction temperature range of 220℃ – 240℃, a pressure range of 20 – 22 bar, and a superficial velocity no greater than 1000 GHSV to render an excellent production rate of SAF.

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