Direct catalytic conversion of alcohols to olefins of higher carbon number with reduced ethylene production

A method for converting an alcohol to one or more olefinic compounds, the method comprising contacting the alcohol with a catalyst at a temperature of at least 100° C. and up to 500° C. to result in direct conversion of said alcohol to an olefin fraction comprising one or more olefinic compounds containing at least three carbon atoms;

• wherein ethylene is produced in an amount of no more than 5 vol % in said olefin fraction;
• wherein propene is produced in an amount of no more than 25 vol % in said olefin fraction;
• and wherein butenes are produced in an amount of least 20 vol % in said olefin fraction;
• wherein said catalyst comprises the following components:
• (a) support particles comprising silicon (Si) and oxygen (O);
• (b) at least one of copper and silver residing on and/or incorporated into said support particles;
• and
• (c) at least one lanthanide element residing on and/or incorporated into said support particles.

A method for converting an alcohol to a jet or diesel hydrocarbon fraction, the method comprising:

• (i) converting an alcohol to an olefin fraction, the method comprising contacting the alcohol with a conversion catalyst at a temperature of at least 100° C. and up to 500° C. to result in direct conversion of said alcohol to said olefin fraction, wherein said olefin fraction comprises one or more olefinic compounds containing at least three carbon atoms;
• wherein ethylene is produced in an amount of no more than 5 vol % in said olefin fraction;
• wherein propene is produced in an amount of no more than 25 vol % in said olefin fraction;
• and wherein butenes are produced in an amount of least 20 vol % in said olefin fraction;
• wherein said conversion catalyst comprises the following components:
• (a) support particles comprising silicon (Si) and oxygen (O);
• (b) at least one of copper and silver residing on and/or incorporated into said support particles;
• and
• (c) at least one lanthanide element residing on and/or incorporated into said support particles;
• (ii) subjecting said first mixed olefin fraction to an oligomerization process in which the first mixed olefin fraction is contacted with an oligomerization catalyst at a temperature of at least 40° C. and up to 400° C. to result in an oligomerized product containing a C6+, C7+, or C8+ partially unsaturated fraction;
• and
• (iii) contacting the partially unsaturated fraction with a precious metal-containing hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of hydrogen gas at a temperature of at least 100° C. and up to 500° C. to produce a jet fuel or diesel hydrocarbon fraction, wherein the jet fuel or diesel hydrocarbon fraction contains a C6+, C7+, or C8+ paraffin fraction with substantially no olefin or aromatic fraction.