CATALYTIC PRODUCTION OF OXYGENATE COMPONENTS OF MOTOR FUELS FROM LIGHT GAS CONDENSATE FRACTIONS

Abstract

The article considers modern scientific and technological approaches to the production and application of oxygenate components of motor fuels based on light gas condensate fractions. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to expand the feedstock base for environmentally improved gasoline compositions, reduce dependence on traditional high-octane components, and ensure more rational use of local hydrocarbon resources of Uzbekistan. Particular attention is paid to the possibility of processing the 353–448 K fraction of Shurtan gas condensate by mild catalytic oxidation using MnO₂ and H₃BO₃ oxide catalysts. The methodological basis of the study includes the generalization of data on feedstock hydrodesulfurization, catalytic oxidation of a vapor–air mixture, determination of hydroxyl, carbonyl, and acid numbers, calculation of octane characteristics by the molecular refraction method, and assessment of the influence of the oxygenate component on the operational and environmental properties of gasoline compositions. It is shown that, after hydrodesulfurization, Shurtan gas condensate contains 43.2 wt.% paraffinic and 22.6 wt.% aromatic hydrocarbons, which creates favorable conditions for the directed formation of oxygen-containing compounds. The most effective catalyst is MnO₂: at T = 393 K, P = 0.1 MPa, τ = 3.5 s, and K = 0.35, the yield of oxygen-containing compounds reaches 18–21 wt.%, the total functional number is 247, and the calculated octane number of the oxidate is in the range of 78–82 units. The introduction of 15 vol.% oxygenate gasoline into the base gasoline fraction increases the calculated octane number of the mixture to 82–85 units and may reduce calculated CO emissions by 12–16%. The obtained results confirm the prospects of catalytic oxidation of light gas condensate fractions as a local and technologically accessible route for producing oxygenate components of motor fuels.