Production of biodegradable middle distillates
AssigneeSasol Technology (Pty) Ltd
InventorsRobert DeHaan, Luis Pablo Dancuart, Mark Jan Prins, Ewald Watermeyer DeWet
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Abstract
This invention relates to a process for production of middle distillates having biodegradability properties. More particularly, this invention relates to a process for production of middle distillates produced from a mainly paraffinic synthetic crude which is produced by the reaction of CO and H2, typically by the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process. The middle distillate produced according to the process of the invention may be a diesel fuel, having an aromatics content of less than 9%, as determined by the ASTM D 5186 or IP 391 test method. The paraffinic chains of the middle distillate may be predominantly isoparaffins.
Claims14
A process for producing a readily biodegradable synthetic middle distillate, the process including:
- (a) separating the products obtained from synthesis gas via the FT synthesis reaction into one or more heavier fraction and one lighter fraction, wherein the one or more heavier fraction of step (a) boils above about 270° C., and wherein the lighter fraction boils in the range C5 to the boiling point of the heavier fraction, and the lighter fraction is separately hydrotreated prior to step (d);
- (b) catalytically processing the one or more heavier fraction under conditions which yield mainly middle distillates;
- (c) separating the middle distillate product of step (b) from the lighter product and heavier product that are also produced in step (b);
- and
- (d) blending the middle distillate fraction obtained in step (c) with at least a portion of the lighter fraction of step (a), or products thereof wherein at least 60% of the synthetic middle distillate is biodegraded within 28 days as measured by the Carbon Dioxide Evolution method.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.