Fischer-Tropsch refining: technology selection to match molecules

On a molecular level Fischer-Tropsch syncrude is significantly different from crude oil. When syncrude is treated as if it is a crude oil, its re. ning becomes inefficient. Re. ning technologies developed for crude oil can be employed to re. ne Fischer-Tropsch syncrude, but in order to conform to green chemistry principles (preventing waste; maximising atom economy; increasing energy efficiency) the technology selection must be compatible with the syncrude composition. The composition of Fischer-Tropsch syncrude is discussed in relation to the molecular requirements of transportation fuels and the re. ning gap that needs to be bridged. Conversion technologies are evaluated in terms of their re. ning objective, chemistry, catalysts, environmental issues, feed requirements, and compatibility to Fischer-Tropsch syncrude, in order to suggest appropriate technologies for efficient re. ning of Fischer-Tropsch products. The conversion technologies considered are: double bond isomerisation, dimerisation/oligomerisation, skeletal isomerisation, etherification, aliphatic alkylation, aromatic alkylation, metathesis, hydrogenation/hydrotreating, hydroisomerisation, hydrocracking, catalytic cracking, coking, thermal cracking, catalytic reforming, aromatisation, alcohol dehydration and olefin hydration.