Methods, systems, and catalysts for the direct conversion of syngas to high-octane hydrocarbons

A method comprising:

• converting a gas stream comprising hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) to a mixture comprising a hydrocarbon having between 3 and 15 carbon atoms, wherein:
• the converting is performed using a first catalyst configured to convert H2 and CO to methanol, a second catalyst configured to convert methanol to dimethyl ether (DME), and a third catalyst configured to convert DME to the hydrocarbon;
• the first catalyst and the second catalyst are physically mixed in a first catalyst bed and the third catalyst is positioned in a second catalyst bed;
• the first catalyst bed and second catalyst bed are contained in a single stacked packed-bed reactor in series;
• the first catalyst comprises copper-zinc oxide-alumina (CZA);
• the second catalyst comprises gamma alumina (A);
• and
• the third catalyst comprises copper modified BEA zeolite (Cu/BEA).