Oligomerization of C5 Olefins in Light Catalytic Naphtha

Refinery gasoline contains C 5 alkanes and alkenes that are being displaced due to regulations on maximum seasonal Reid vapor pressure (RVP) limits and increased blending of ethanol. As volumes of displaced C 5 ʼs increase, technologies for returning C 5 ʼs to the gasoline or diesel pools become increasingly important. Isolation of C 5 streams followed by dimerization/oligomerization of the C 5 olefins is one route to return displaced C 5 ʼs to the gasoline pool. Large pore, acidic zeolite catalysts have been evaluated for this purpose. The process results in an overall volume loss due to volume contraction and a possible loss of research octane number (RON).