Apparatus for producing high molecular weight liquid hydrocarbons from methane and/or natural gas

Apparatus for processing a low molecular weight gas-phase hydrocarbon to provide a high molecular weight, liquid-phase hydrocarbon compression-ignition fuel comprising:

• a first Fischer Tropsch reactor having an input connected to receive said low molecular weight gas-phase hydrocarbon, and having an output;
• a catalyst within said first Fischer-Tropsch reactor including about 20 percent by weight cobalt, about 0.1-percent by weight ruthenium, about 1.0-percent by weight platinum, the remainder being an alumina support;
• and
• a first liquid/water separator having an input connected to said output of said first Fischer-Tropsch reactor, and having a liquid output providing said high molecular weight, liquid-phase hydrocarbon compression ignition fuel.

Apparatus for processing a low molecular weight gas-phase hydrocarbon in order to provide a high molecular weight, liquid-phase hydrocarbon, compression ignition fuel comprising:

• a catalytic partial oxidation reactor having an input and an output;
• a platinum-group catalyst within said catalytic partial oxidation reactor;
• supply means for supplying a pressurized oxygen-containing gas such as air and a pressurized low molecular weight gas-phase hydrocarbon to said input of said catalytic partial oxidation reactor;
• a synthesis reactor having an input connected to said output of said catalytic partial oxidation reactor, and having an output;
• a second catalyst within said synthesis reactor;
• said second catalyst including about 20 percent by weight cobalt, about 0.1 percent by weight ruthenium, about 1.0 percent by weight platinum, the remainder being an alumina support;
• and
• a liquid separator having an input connected to said output of said synthesis reactor, and having an output providing said high molecular weight, liquid-phase hydrocarbon, compression-ignition fuel.