Wrocław, Poland, April 29-30, 2025   


Andreas Jess is a Professor and the Chair of Chemical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering Science, University of Bayreuth, Germany. He is a distinguished chemical engineer specializing in applied catalysis, reaction engineering, energy technology, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and ionic liquids. He has authored the widely recognized textbookChemical Technology: From Principles to Products, contributed to 18 book chapters, and published over 180 papers in peer-reviewed journals.

 

Lecture Title:

 Sustainable Liquid Fuels by Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis: From Basic Kinetic Aspects to the Design of a Technical Reactor

 

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is a key process for producing liquid synthetic fuels (e-fuels) using renewable hydrogen and CO₂. While battery-electric cars and hydrogen fuel cell trucks are viable options for road transport, liquid hydrocarbons such as e-fuels are likely the only sustainable solution for shipping and aviation.
FTS is a complex catalytic process governed by intrinsic chemical kinetics. In addition to reaction kinetics, diffusion limitations must also be carefully considered, as Fe- or Co-based catalyst pores become filled with liquid hydrocarbons (waxes) during startup. Due to its highly exothermic nature, FTS is typically conducted in wall-cooled multi-tubular reactors, where accurate reactor modeling is essential to prevent thermal runaway and determine optimal operational parameters. This lecture will explore these fundamental aspects, emphasizing their significance in reactor design and process efficiency.