Gasoline from natural gas by sulfur processing. Quarterly report No. 11, January--March 1996

The overall objective of this research project is to develop a catalytic process to convert natural gas to liquid transportation fuels. The process consists of two steps that each use catalysts and sulfur-containing intermediates: (1) converting natural has to CS{sub 2} and (2) converting CS{sub 2} to gasoline-range liquids. Experimental data will be generated to demonstrate the potential of catalysts and the overall process. During this quarter, progress in the following areas has been made: Hydrogenation of CS{sub 2} to liquid hydrocarbons was accomplished on two sets of catalyst a cobalt exchanged ZSM-5 and a mixture containing MoS{sub 2} hydrogenation catalyst and HZSM-5. CS{sub 2} conversions of up to 100% were achieved. The highest selectivity to C{sub 4}{sup +} hydrocarbons was 52%. There is interest within the oil companies we contacted for a process that converts natural gas to liquid hydrocarbons. In addition there is also interest in a process that produces hydrogen for a refinery, while at the same time it removes hydrogen sulfide