TITLE: Synthesis of octane enhancers during slurry-phase Fischer-Tropsch.  Quarterly technical progress report No. 6, January 1, 1992--March 31, 1992.

AUTHOR: G. Marcelin.

INST.  AUTHOR: Altamira Instruments, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA.

SPONSOR: Department of Energy, Washington, DC.

LANGUAGE: English

PUB.  TYPE: Technical Report

PUB.  COUNTRY: United States

SOURCE: Department of Energy [DE],  24 Jun 92,  23p.

NTIS ORDER NO.: DE92019718INW

ABSTRACT:

The objective of this project is to investigate three possible routes to the formation of ethers, in particular methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), during slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch reaction. The three reaction schemes to be investigated are: (1) Addition of isobutylene during the formation of methanol and/or higher alcohols directly from CO and H(sub 2) during slurry-phase Fischer-Tropsch. (2) Addition of isobutylene to FT liquid products including alcohols in a slurry-phase reactor containing an MTBE or other acid catalyst. (3) Addition of methanol to slurry phase FT synthesis making iso-olefins. During the sixth quarter we completed the construction of the slurry bubble column reactor (SBCR), conducted initial shake-down experiments in a cold-flow mode, and finalized the selection process of the acid catalysts for conversion of syngas-produced alcohols and isobutylene to MTBE (scheme 2). Tasks 3, 4, and 5 are awaiting complete implementation of the SBCR system.

REPORT  NUMBER: DOE/PC/90047-T5

CONTRACT  NUMBER: AC22-90PC90047