(Co-)Oligomerization of Olefins to Hydrocarbon Fuels: Influence of Feed Composition and Pressure

Abstract

The co-oligomerization of methanol-based C2-4 olefins on a heterogeneous nickel silica-alumina catalyst enables the production of fuel-range hydrocarbons. The objective of this study was the production of gasoline and jet fuel, which was achieved with an overall selectivity of above 90 %. The influence of olefin feed composition and pressure was investigated at 120 °C. By employing olefin mixtures instead of one single olefin, selectivity to specific chain lengths decreases and quantities of the individual products converge. An increase of olefin pressure from 16 to 32 bar slightly shifts the liquid products to shorter oligomers and raises feed conversion.