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Received for review May 22, 1987 Revised manuscript received November 20, 1987 Accepted December 3, 1987
Chemistry of Olefin Oligomerization over ZSM-5Catalyst Richard J. Quam, Larry A. Green, Samuel A. Tabak,* and Frederick J. Krambeck Mobil Research and Development Corporation, Paulsboro Research Laboratory, Paulsboro, New Jersey 08066
(c&)
Light olefins can be converted to a mixture of higher molecular weight olefins via a sequence of acid-catalyzed-shape-selectivepolymerization and isomerization reactions over the ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst. T h e composition and molecular weight of the product are very dependent on reaction temperature and pressure through both thermodynamic and kinetic constraints. Distillate-range olefins having an almost petrochemical-type structure with high-quality fuel properties are produced a t relatively high pressure (30-100-bar) and lower temperature (200-300 "C) conditions. At lower pressure and higher temperature, lower molecular weight products are formed, including aromatics and saturates from olefin condensation and hydrogen-transfer reactions. The polymerization of light olefins to produce higher molecular weight hydrocarbon fuels over acid-type catalysts is a well-known area of chemistry as reviewed by Oblad et al. (1958). The products of acid-catalyzed reactions of olefins may include primarily olefins from straight oligomerization or mixtures of olefins, paraffins, cycloalkanes, and aromatics from what has been termed "conjunct" polymerization (Pines, 1981). The product spectrum is influenced by both reaction conditions and the nature of the catalyst but is generally restricted to the gasoline range (
