The iso-butene oligomerization activity of pure and metal-substituted synthetic mica-montmorillonite (SMM) was studied by simultaneous thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The incorporation of matrix Ni and ion-exchanged Co, Ni and Zn into SMM increased its iso-butene oligomerization activity while the presence of water in the olefinic feed reduced activity. These findings corresponded to trends found in previous work on high pressure (50 MPa) propene oligomerization over SMM and metal-substituted SMM.

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Intensification of slurry phase reactors can contribute significantly to capital cost reduction in the gas-to-liquid (GTL) process. It has previously been shown that the scope exists to potentially double the volumetric conversion of Sasol’s existing G1 commercial slurry phase reactors. Tests have successfully been completed in Sasol Technology’s semicommercial pilot plant that have demonstrated +50% (G2) and +100% (G3) reactor capacities. A G2 reactor design, based on lessons learned from the G1 ORYX GTL reactor, reduction of design margins and more effective layout of reactor internals, has been completed for GTL project execution. The combined use of computer-aided design tools (CAD, CMFD, FEA, CPFD, or DEM and 3D printing) has enabled a feasible conceptual G3 reactor design to be established. Future key focus areas include not only intensification of its production capacities but also economic optimization and cost-effective manufacturing and construction strategies.

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