Production of clean transportation fuels and lower olefins from Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis waxes under fluid catalytic cracking conditions : The potential of highly paraffinic feedstocks for FCC

• Published in: Applied catalysis. B, Environmental Vol. 63; no. 3-4; pp. 277 - 295
• Main Authors: DUPAIN, Xander, KRUL, Ralph A, SCHAVERIEN, Colin J, MAKKEE, Michiel, MOULIJN, Jacob A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier 31-03-2006
• Subjects: Catalysis; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Ion-exchange; Surface physical chemistry; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Zeolites: preparations and properties; LPG; low-aromatic; butenes); ZSM-5; Fischer Tropsch synthesis; Fluid catalytic cracking; i-butene; Potential; Nitrogen; Molecular sieve; Heterogeneous catalysis; low-nitrogen; Propene; Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC); Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS); Diesel; Gasoline (low-sulfur; low-naphthenic; LPG propene; Olefin; Gasoline; Sulfur; Butene; Ethylenic compound; Clean fuel; Environmental protection
• ISSN: 0926-3373; 1873-3883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2005.10.012

The potential of Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) waxes as a feedstock for fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) has been evaluated with a oncethrough microriser reactor operating under realistic conditions. The highly paraffinic feedstock has a high reactivity and can be converted under industrial conditions to a high extent ( > 90 wt%). The product distribution can be optimised by the process parameters and catalyst formulation. A high gasoline fraction (70 wt%) with a very low aromatics concentration can be obtained. As a result of the formation of i-paraffins, n-olefins and iolefins the gasoline is expected to possess an acceptable octane number. The reaction scheme derived predicts that the degree of branching in the paraffinic diesel-range product is lower than that of the gasoline-range product and that a relatively good diesel is expected. Due to the absence of sulfur and nitrogen in the feed extremely clean transportation fuels are obtained. The addition of ZSM-5 to an equilibrium catalyst allows the production of significant amounts of light olefins, in particular propene (16 wt%) and butenes (15 wt%).