The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) of syngas was carried out using Fe-based catalysts in order to produce hydrocarbons (HCs) equivalent to kerosene, which is used as an alternative aviation fuel. The FTS was conducted in a downdraft continuous-flow-type fixed-bed reactor under a temperature of 533-573 K and a pressure of 3.0 MPa. The effects of reduction gases and time of the Fe-based catalyst, reaction temperature and the chemical species included in the Fe-based catalyst on the FTS were studied by focusing on primary kerosene yield and the carbon mass balance. The carbon mass balances in the study were almost 100%. In C6 + HCs, the selectivity of CO to the C11-C14 HCs equivalent to kerosene was found to be the second highest, the highest being its selectivity to C20 + HCs equivalent to wax. The amount of primary kerosene produced was maximum under the following conditions: the prepared Fe catalyst did not contain other chemical species, the feed ratio of the reduction gases H(2):CO:N(2) was 2: 1: 3, the catalyst reduction time was 8 h, and the FTS reaction temperature was 553 K. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.