GB495889A - Improvements in the manufacture and production of liquid hydrocarbons from gases containing olefines - Google Patents

Abstract

Liquid hydrocarbons are produced from gases containing methane homologues and olefines by substantially completely separating the olefines, subjecting the remainder to cracking or dehydrogenation, mixing with the separated olefines, and polymerizing the mixture at above 350 DEG C. and under superatmospheric pressure, usually above 20 atmos. The olefines may be separated by oil washing, passage over active carbon, partial liquefaction, or ammoniacal copper solutions. Cracking or dehydrogenation of the paraffins can be effected at 300-900 DEG C. in tubular furnaces or Cowper apparatus with, if desired, addition of catalysts and oxygen or steam. Both this reaction and the final polymerization may be performed in vessels lined with silicon or of high chromium steels as described in Specifications 368,291, 403,647, and 469,101. Polymerization of the final mixture is preferably effected at 400-600 DEG C. and 50-300 atmos. Diolefines and acetylenes may first be removed as by a mild hydrogenation according to the process described in Specification 359,421. In an example, a gas containing 32 per cent olefines and 68 per cent methane homologues is treated with ammoniacal copper solution to remove olefines, the paraffins are partially converted to olefines at 800 DEG C., mixed with the olefines set free from the copper solution, and led into a silicon lined tube at 530 DEG C. and 120 atmos. The product may be hydrogenated or mixed with anti-knock agents, and is used as a fuel or blending-agent.