Dimethyl ether in the processing of associated petroleum gas to a mixture of synthetic hydrocarbons

Abstract

The development of single-stage synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from synthesis gas makes it possible to obtain hydrocarbons directly from DME. The effect of the nature and concentration of components of the vapor–gas mixture that arrives at the stage of DME conversion to liquid hydrocarbons on activity and selectivity of a zinc–palladium zeolite catalyst has been examined. It has been found that and increase in DME concentration to more than 20 vol % in the reaction stream leads to lowering both DME conversion and gasoline selectivity and increasing the yield of byproducts. The presence of components such as H₂, CO, H₂O in the vapor–gas mixture ensures high stability of the catalytic system. Switching from the flow-through to the recycle operation mode increases the catalyst selectivity for gasoline, decreases the formation of durene, and reduces catalyst coking.