Process for the oligomerization of olefins in fischer-tropsch derived condensate feed

A process for preparing a Fischer-Tropsch derived product by the oligomerization of the olefins in a Fischer-Tropsch derived condensate which contains olefins and oxygenates and boils in the range of diesel, which comprises:

• (a) dehydrating the Fischer-Tropsch derived condensate in a dehydration zone under dehydration conditions and recovering a dehydrated Fischer-Tropsch derived condensate from the dehydration zone;
• (b) contacting the dehydrated Fischer-Tropsch derived condensate with a molecular sieve capable of adsorbing substantially all of the oxygenates remaining in the dehydrated Fischer-Tropsch derived condensate and recovering a Fischer-Tropsch derived condensate intermediate containing less than 100 ppmw elemental oxygen;
• (c) contacting the Fischer-Tropsch derived condensate intermediate in an oligomerization zone with an effective oligomerizing amount of a Lewis acid ionic liquid oligomerization catalyst while maintaining said Fischer-Tropsch derived condensate intermediate and said oligomerization catalyst under preselected oligomerization conditions for a sufficient time to oligomerize the olefins present;
• and
• (d) recovering from the oligomerization zone a Fischer-Tropsch derived product having molecules characterized by a higher average molecular weight and increased branching as compared to the Fischer-Tropsch derived condensate.