Production of Near Zero Aromatics Containing Diesels

Abstract

The invention provides a process for the production of synthetically derived diesel and diesel produced by the process. The process includes the steps of catalytic conversion of Fisher-Tropsch derived light olefins to distillates (COD) over a zeolite type catalyst at pressures of more than 50 barg, one step hydrotreating the COD product to simultaneously hydrogenate both olefins and aromatics, and collecting a hydrotreated fraction boiling between about 180° C. to 360° C.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A process for the production of synthetically derived diesel, comprising the steps of:
 catalytic conversion of Fisher-Tropsch derived light olefins to distillates over a shape selective zeolite type COD-9 catalyst at a pressure of more than 50 barg and at a reactor temperature of below 280° C., whereby a COD product is obtained;   one step hydrotreating the COD product to simultaneously hydrogenate both olefins and aromatics; and   collecting a hydrotreated fraction boiling from about 180° C. to 360° C.   
     
     
         26 . A process as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the one step hydrotreating step comprises hydrogenation over a Group 10 metal catalyst. 
     
     
         27 . A process as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the Group 10 metal catalyst has a high nickel content. 
     
     
         28 . A process as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the Group 10 catalyst comprises a noble metal supported on a carrier. 
     
     
         29 . A process as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the noble metal is platinum. 
     
     
         30 . A process as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the hydrotreating catalyst is bimetallic. 
     
     
         31 . A process as claimed  claim 25 , wherein a reactor pressure for the hydrotreating step reactions is from 5000 kPa to about 8000 kPa, wherein a reaction temperature for the hydrotreating step is from about 200° C. to 260° C., and wherein a liquid hourly space velocity for the hydrotreating step is from 0.3 to 2. 
     
     
         32 . A process as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the hydrotreating catalyst is loaded into a reactor bed in an increased graded approach, whereby an excessive exothermic reaction developing at the top of the reactor is limited. 
     
     
         33 . A process as claimed in  claim 25 , further comprising a step of blending the COD product or the hydrotreated fraction with at least one component selected from the group consisting of crude derived diesel, biodiesel, and alcohols. 
     
     
         34 . A synthetically derived diesel produced by a catalytic conversion of Fisher-Tropsch derived olefins to distillates (COD) and one step hydrotreating thereof, the diesel boiling in the range of about 180 to 360° C., and comprising:
 less than 10% n-paraffins;   more than 60% iso-paraffins, wherein the isoparaffins are predominantly methyl branched iso-paraffins; and   less than 1% aromatics.   
     
     
         35 . A synthetically derived diesel as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the iso-paraffins comprise from 50 to 80% methyl branched iso-paraffins. 
     
     
         36 . A synthetically derived diesel as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein iso-paraffins comprise from 60 to 70% methyl branched iso-paraffins. 
     
     
         37 . A synthetically derived diesel as claimed in  claim 34 , comprising about 20% naphthenes. 
     
     
         38 . A synthetically derived diesel as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the naphthenes comprise predominantly monocyclic naphthenes. 
     
     
         39 . A synthetically derived diesel as claimed in  claim 34 , having a boiling range of from about 210 to 345° C. 
     
     
         40 . A synthetically derived diesel as claimed in  claim 34 , having a flash point at least as high as high as 100° C., a kinematic viscosity of from 2.2 to 2.8 cSt as tested by ASTM D445 at 40° C., a total sulfur content of the diesel below 2 ppm (m/m) as measured by ASTM 3120, a Bromine Number of below 1 mg/10 g as measured by IP 129, and a peroxide number of less than 1 mg/100 g as measured by ASTM D3703. 
     
     
         41 . A synthetically derived diesel as claimed in  claim 40 , which is a blend with at least one component selected from the group consisting of crude derived diesels, biodiesel, and alcohols.