Radiation-initiated conversion of paraffins to engine fuel: Direct and indirect initiation

• Published in: Radiation physics and chemistry (Oxford, England : 1993) England : 1993), 2016-07, Vol.124, p.212-215
• Main Authors: Metreveli, A.K., Ponomarev, A.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkanes; Conversion; Cracking; Diesel fuel; Diesel fuels; Dilution; Fuels; Gas-to-liquid conversion; Gasoline; Liquids; Methane; Paraffins; Radiolysis; Wax of Fischer–Tropsch synthesis
• ISSN: 0969-806X; 1879-0895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2016.02.002

Formation of gasoline and diesel fuel has been investigated using three various radiation-induced ways: (1) cracking of wax, (2) synthesis from methane, (3) high-temperature conversion of wax dilute solution in methane. The wax, synthesized by Fischer–Tropsch method, initially contained a mixture of C17–C120 linear paraffins. The yield of wax conversion to liquid mixture (C4–C27 alkenes and 61.5% alkanes) via mode (1) was 0.83±0.09μmole/J, whereas yield of gas conversion to liquid mixture (C5–C13 alkanes) via mode (2) was 0.95±0.02μmole/J. In the dilute solution wax underwent indirect action of radiation. In comparison with (1) the mode (3) produces similar amount of lighter fuel containing 80% of alkanes (C5–C15). At the same time degree of methane fixation is almost three times higher. •Three radiolytic ways to produce engine fuel from paraffins.•Synthesis from methane results in small yield of high-octane gasoline.•Cracking of heavy wax yields mainly solar oil along with heavy waste.•Combined gas/wax beaming provides waste-free formation mainly of gasoline.