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Title: Low severity upgrading of F-T waxes with solid superacids

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5804865· OSTI ID:5804865

We have discovered that the isomerization and hydrocracking of a long chain paraffin, n-hexadecane, with a solid superacid such as ZrO{sub 2}/SO{sub 4} gives very high selectivities, (i.e., > 90% to hydrocracked isoparaffins, C{sub 4}-C{sub 13}) in the presence of platinum and a low pressure of hydrogen. Undesirable light gases (methane and ethane) are not produced during these reactions. In addition, a high multi-branched to monobranched ratio of long chain hydrocarbons is produced. We have written the formula for this catalyst as Pt/ZrO{sub 2}/SO{sub 4}. Early attempts during this first quarter to reproduce this catalyst for the hydrocracking and isomerization of n-hexadecane gave results which were not reproducible, conversion varying from a few percent to 70%. It was, therefore, of utmost importance to devise a procedure that could be depended upon to synthesize a reproducible catalyst would give high conversions and high selectivities to cracked and isomerized products of high fuel and lubricating oil values. The catalysts should be active under mild conditions, i.e., below 170{degrees}C and hydrogen pressures below 350 psi. Conventional heavy end cracking catalysts (modified zeolites) are active at 300--400{degrees}C.

Research Organization:
Pittsburgh Univ., PA (United States). Dept. of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-91PC91304
OSTI ID:
5804865
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/91304-T1; ON: DE92009081
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English