TITLE: Two-Stage Process for Conversion of Synthesis Gas to High Quality Transportation Fuels. Final Report.

AUTHOR: J. C. W. Kuo.

INST.  AUTHOR: Mobil Research and Development Corp., Paulsboro, NJ.

SPONSOR: Department of Energy, Washington, DC.

LANGUAGE: English

PUB.  TYPE: Technical Report

PUB.  COUNTRY: United States

SOURCE: Department of Energy [DE],  Oct 85,  369p.

NTIS ORDER NO.: DE86011522/INW

ABSTRACT:

This report describes development studies on a two-stage slurry Fischer-Tropsch/ZSM-5 process for converting synthesis gas to high quality transportation fuels (gasoline and distillate). Successful gasoline-mode operation of a similar process was demonstrated under a previous DOE Contract (AC22-80PC30022). Three Fischer-Tropsch catalysts of Fe/Cu/K sub 2 CO sub 3 type were evaluated for low methane + ethane (high reactor-wax) mode operation in eight separate runs. A total hydrocarbon production of 350 g/gFe was achieved, the only experimentally established number for this mode of operation. Various process studies were also performed including development of a continuous reactor-wax removal system and the testing of a new feed-gas distributor. Bubble-column hydrodynamics were studied using two newly built tall, hot-flow columns. Data were acquired on gas holdup and bubble-flow patterns using sintered-metal-plate and orifice type feed-gas distributors. Actual reactor-waxes were used for the first time. Also the carbon-number distributions of the reactor-waxes were characterized up to C sub 150 using the Field Ionization Mass Spectrometry. Proprietary reactor-wax upgrading studies were carried out and are described in the Appendix-Restrictive Distribution of this report.  Non-proprietary studies, including reactor-wax vacuum fractionation and thermal cracking of a Fischer-Tropsch reactor-wax vacuum bottom, were also carried out. Finally, a conceptual process design and scoping cost estimate were developed. The design for the slurry Fischer-Tropsch and the ZSM-5 reactor sections is similar to that given in our previous DOE Contract. The design of the reactor-wax upgrading and product separation sections, as well as the scoping cost estimate are given in the Appendix-Restrictive Distribution. 58 refs., 113 figs., 29 tabs. (ERA citation 11:053700)

REPORT  NUMBER: DOE/PC/60019-9

CONTRACT  NUMBER: AC22-83PC60019