Synthetic hydrocarbon products

Abstract

The invention includes a process for producing synthetic middle distillates and synthetic middle distillates produced therefrom. In one embodiment, the process comprises fractionating a hydrocarbon synthesis product to at least generate a light middle distillate, a heavy middle distillate, and a waxy fraction; thermally cracking the waxy fraction; and isomerizing the heavy middle distillate. A synthetic diesel or blending component is formed by the combination of at least a portion of the light middle distillate; at least a portion or fraction of the thermally cracked product; and at least a portion or fraction of the isomerized product. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon synthesis product and / or the thermally cracked product may be hydrotreated. In other embodiments, a synthetic middle distillate comprises at least two fractions: a light fraction with not more than 10% branched hydrocarbons, and a heavy fraction with at least 30% branched hydrocarbons.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 886,861 filed Jul. 8, 2004 entitled “Synthetic Hydrocarbon Products,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] This invention relates to the field of hydrocarbon production by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and more specifically to the field of producing a synthetic middle distillate by thermal cracking Fischer-Tropsch wax and isomerizing a Fischer-Tropsch heavy middle distillate. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0005] Natural gas, found in deposits in the earth, is an abundant energy resource. For example, natural gas commonly serves as a fuel for heating, cooking, and power generation, among other things. The process of obtaining natural gas from an earth formation typically includes drilling a well into the form...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] It will therefore be seen that a technical advantage of the present invention includes thermally cracking heavy bottoms (wax) from the fractionator and isomerizing heavy middle distillates from the fractionator to produce an improved middle distillate product (particularly diesel fuel, and / or jet fuel), thereby overcoming the problems of having a reduced cetane number. Further advantages include a diesel fuel having improved cold flow properties and cetane number. Additional advantages include reduced costs in producing the diesel fuel and / or jet fuel from a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.

[0020] The disclosed devices and methods comprise a combination of features and advantages that enable it to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art devices. The various characteristics described above, as well as other features, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description and by referring to the accompanying drawings.

Problems solved by technology

Wells that provide natural gas are often remote from locations with a demand for the consumption of the natural gas.

This transportation presents technological challenges due in part to the large volume occupied by a gas.

However, this contributes to the final cost of the natural gas and is not economical for formations containing small amounts of natural gas.

However, current environmental concerns and regulations discourage or prohibit this practice.

Further, naturally occurring sources of crude oil used for liquid fuels such as gasoline and middle distillates (such as kerosene, diesel fuel, and home heating oil) have been decreasing, and supplies are not expected to meet demand in the coming years.

However, drawbacks include the diesel having a decreased cetane number.

Further drawbacks include the cost accompanied by the catalysts used in the hydrocracking reaction.

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