Oxidative Oligomerization of a Synthetic Hydrocarbon Fraction Produced by Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis

Abstract The oxidative oligomerization of Fischer–Tropsch synthesis products, namely, C10–C15 hydrocarbon fractions with a total content of alkenes (mostly β- and γ-alkenes) of 64.7 wt % using zirconium octoate as a catalyst has been studied. The hydrocarbon fraction has been produced in the presence of a zeolite-containing catalyst at a pressure of 2.0 MPa, a temperature of 250°C, and an H2/CO ratio at the inlet of the reactor of 1.70, a gas hourly space velocity of 1000 h–1, and a circulation ratio range of 0–16. It has been found that, at a temperature of 160°C, a catalyst content of 5.0 wt %, a process time of 6 h, and a pressure (air) of 2.5 MPa, the target fraction yield is 52.7%. It has been revealed that the oligomerization product has a low pour point of −31°C. It has been proposed that the viscosity characteristics of the oligomerization product can be improved by introducing additives, such as polymethacrylates or polyisobutylene.