Catalytic Polymerization of Diesel Fuel.

Abstract

This research program investigated the catalytic modification of the hydrocarbons of diesel fuel to form a high molecular weight product that would be an effective substitute for fog oil. The oligomerization of diesel fuel was performed in a two-step process; the diesel fuel was dehydrogenated to form a more reactive intermediate, and this intermediate was allowed to polymerize to produce the high molecular weight material. These reactions were conducted in two separate continuous fixed-bed catalytic reactors. Experiments on the dehydrogenation reactor demonstrated that olefine could be formed from diesel fuel; however, the yield was low. In the oligomerization reactor when diolefins and alkylated aromatics were added to diesel fuel a high molecular weight product was formed. The dehydrogenation catalyst Cobalt Molybdenum Disulfide, a sulfur tolerant catalyst, was used in the experiments in the combined reactor system and a rare earth substituted SK-500 zeolite was the oligomerization catalyst. A very promising result was obtained in an early experiment when the reactors were combined; roughly 30% - 40% of the diesel was converted to a high molecular weight product. Subsequent reactions were not as successful; a high molecular weight product was obtained, but not enough to produce a reduction in the evaporation rate. We suspect that the poor reaction yield is caused by an ineffective dehydrogenation of the diesel fuel. Keywords: Cobalt compounds.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1987
Accession Number
ADA176908

Entities

People

  • C. L. Witham
  • J. G. Mccarty
  • R. M. Platz

Organizations

  • SRI International

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Catalysts
  • Catalytic Reactors
  • Cobalt
  • Cobalt Compounds
  • Dehydrogenation
  • Diesel Fuels
  • Fuels
  • Materials
  • Molecular Weight

Fields of Study

  • Chemistry
  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Petroleum Engineering