The action of promotors and carriers of the Cobalt and Nickel catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction was discussed. The experiments were carried out by an by an ordinary fixed bed-flow system reactor at 150-300° and 100, - 400 space velocity under atmospheric pressure. Co and Ni catalysts, unmodified metallic and variously modified with kieselguhr and ThO
2 were examined. At 190°, unmodified metallic Co catalyst produces large amounts of gaseous hydrocarbons, above 98% of which is methane, but produces no liquid hydrocarbons. By some treatments, such as slight pre-carburization or addition of little amounts of various volatile substances into synthesis gas, the unmodified metallic Co catalyst gave higher homologs of hydrocarbon. It was also found that the higher the degree of modification is the higher the degree of unsaturation of products is. For nickel catalysts the same facts were observed. According to these experimental facts, it is concluded that, in the case of unmodified metallic catalysts the velocity of hydrogenation reaction (Vn) is too large comparing with the velocity of C-C bond formation (Vp) to produce liquid hydrocarbons, and that kieselguhr, ThO
2 or little amounts of added substances act to establish a suitable relationship between Vp and Vh. A catalyst, which is not modified permanently but is controlled temporarily by a teat-ment, maintains a controlled activity to give liquid hydrocarbons during prolonged reaction.
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