| abstract |
A turbulent super-dense fluid-bed of a medium pore zeolite metallosilicate catalyst is operated at low WHSV, outside a critical region in the phase diagram of the hydrocarbon mixture in the reactor, at or above conditions of pressure Pmax and temperature Tmax at which a liquid phase may not form. The result is oligomerization of a "light gas" predominantly C3-C5 olefin feed, the remainder being mainly C3-C5 lower alkanes. The oligomerized product is a "heavies" stream, namely, distillate and lube oil range hydrocarbons, with a minor proportion by weight of gasoline range hydrocarbons. The reactor may be operated in either a C1+ distillate mode, or, a C22+ lubes mode. The superdense fluid bed with a density, measured at the bottom of the reaction zone, greater than 500 kg/m3, and operates at a temperature in the range from about 204 DEG C. (400 DEG F.) to about 371 DEG C. (700 DEG F.), and a pressure in the range from about 2857 kPa (400 psig) to about 13880 kPa (2000 psig) or even higher. This unique process provides per pass conversion of olefins, and selectively to C5+ hydrocarbons, each in excess of 80%. |