a carbon to liquids system comprising : a source of syngas ; a first reactor coupled in flow communication with said syngas source and configured to receive a flow of syngas therein , said first reactor comprising a polymeric material , wherein said first reactor reacts the syngas and a catalyst in a fischer - tropsch reaction that produces a product comprising steam , wherein the polymeric material is configured to permit the permeation of the steam therethrough ; and a recycle path coupled in flow communication with said first reactor , wherein said recycle path is configured to channel the permeated steam to a vessel positioned upstream from said first reactor . a method of operating a carbon to liquids system includes receiving a flow of syngas and reacting the syngas and a catalyst to produce a product including steam . the method also includes recycling the permeated steam to a vessel positioned upstream from the reactor .