The promotional effects of Zr on the structure, reduction, carburization and catalytic behavior of precipitated iron-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis （FTS） catalysts were investigated. The catalysts were characterized by N2 physisorption, temperature-programmed reduction （TPR）, and M6ssbauer effect spectroscopy （MES） techniques. As revealed by N2 physisorption, Zr decreased the BET surface area and pore volume of the catalyst. The results of TPR and MES show that Zr suppresses the reduction and carburization of Fe catalysts because of the interaction between Fe and Zr. The FTS reaction results indicate that Zr decreases the FTS activity of Fe catalysts but improves the catalysts＇ stability. In addition, Zr promoter restraines the formation of light hydrocarbons （methane and C2-C4） and shifts the production distribution to the heavy hydrocarbons.
