Catalytic Process for Converting Fuel Gases into Gasoline

70561S02-II Gasoline is the largest-volume fuel used in the United States, but only 41% of each barrel of crude oil is converted into gasoline. Various off-gas streams in the refinery contain potentially valuable hydrocarbons that are not economical to recover by traditional means, and, as a result, they are usually burned as an inexpensive refinery fuel. This project will develop a new catalytic process that will convert these hydrocarbons into gasoline-blending components. Phase I demonstrated that, on a laboratory scale, the catalyst could effectively convert the fuel gases into gasoline-blending stock. Phase II will develop and demonstrate a continuous process on a bench scale. The technology will then be demonstrated in a Texas refinery to determine feasibility for using the technology commercially. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee: By converting refinery hydrocarbon off-gases, approximately 200,000 bbl/day of additional gasoline could be achieved in the U.S. alone (worth approximately $1.5 billion annually). Already, several companies in the petroleum refining and process licensing business have expressed interest in the potential of this new technology.