Disclosed is a process for converting C.sub.2-5 alkanes to higher-value C.sub.5-24+ hydrocarbon fuels and fuel blendstocks including reacting the C.sub.2-5 alkanes in a thermal olefination reactor operating at a temperature, pressure and space velocity to convent the alkanes to olefins and in the absence of both a dehydrogenation catalyst and steam. At least a portion of the product olefin stream is oligomerized using a zeolite catalyst to crack, oligomerize and cyclize the product olefins to form the fuel products, which are then recovered. The process is useful in removing sulfur and nitrogen-based compounds in a single step process, while reducing total costs of processing and eliminating the need for additives used in the field.

Disclosed is a process for converting C.sub.2-5 alkanes to higher-value C.sub.5-24+ hydrocarbon fuels and fuel blendstocks including reacting the C.sub.2-5 alkanes in a thermal olefination reactor operating at a temperature, pressure and space velocity to convent the alkanes to olefins and in the absence of both a dehydrogenation catalyst and steam. At least a portion of the product olefin stream is oligomerized using a zeolite catalyst to crack, oligomerize and cyclize the product olefins to form the fuel products, which are then recovered. The process is useful in removing sulfur and nitrogen-based compounds in a single step process, while reducing total costs of processing and eliminating the need for additives used in the field.

A process for converting C2-5 alkanes to higher value C5-24 hydrocarbon fuels and blendstocks. The C2-5 alkanes are converted to olefins by thermal olefination, without the use of a dehydrogenation catalyst and without the use of steam. The product olefins are fed to an oligomerization reactor containing a zeolite catalyst to crack, oligomerize and cyclize the olens to the fuel products which are then recovered. Optionally, hydrogen and methane are removed from the product olefin stream prior to oligomerization. Further optionally, C2-5 alkanes are removed from the product olefin stream prior to oligomerization.

A process for converting C2-5 alkanes to higher value C5-24 hydrocarbon fuels and blendstocks. The C2-5 alkanes are converted to olefins by thermal olefination, without the use of a dehydrogenation catalyst and without the use of steam. The product olefins are fed to an oligomerization reactor containing a zeolite catalyst to crack, oligomerize and cyclize the olens to the fuel products which are then recovered. Optionally, hydrogen and methane are removed from the product olefin stream prior to oligomerization. Further optionally, C2-5 alkanes are removed from the product olefin stream prior to oligomerization.

Disclosed is a process for converting C.sub.2-5 alkanes to higher-value C.sub.5-24+ hydrocarbon fuels and fuel blendstocks including reacting the C.sub.2-5 alkanes in a thermal olefination reactor operating at a temperature, pressure and space velocity to convent the alkanes to olefins and in the absence of both a dehydrogenation catalyst and steam. At least a portion of the product olefin stream is oligomerized using a zeolite catalyst to crack, oligomerize and cyclize the product olefins to form the fuel products, which are then recovered. The process is useful in removing sulfur and nitrogen-based compounds in a single step process, while reducing total costs of processing and eliminating the need for additives used in the field.

Disclosed is a process for converting C.sub.2-5 alkanes to higher-value C.sub.5-24+ hydrocarbon fuels and fuel blendstocks including reacting the C.sub.2-5 alkanes in a thermal olefination reactor operating at a temperature, pressure and space velocity to convent the alkanes to olefins and in the absence of both a dehydrogenation catalyst and steam. At least a portion of the product olefin stream is oligomerized using a zeolite catalyst to crack, oligomerize and cyclize the product olefins to form the fuel products, which are then recovered. The process is useful in removing sulfur and nitrogen-based compounds in a single step process, while reducing total costs of processing and eliminating the need for additives used in the field.

A reforming reactor and process of using same in which residence time of feed within a chamber of a reactor is shortened. Feed is injected into the reactor into a non-reactive zone. The non-reactive zone has two portions, a first portion receiving the feed, and a second portion receiving a purge gas. The purge gas will flow from the second portion to the first portion to prevent flow of the feed from the first portion to the second portion. The combined gas may be passed to a reaction zone for catalytic reforming. The first portion and the second portion may be separated by a baffle.

A reforming reactor and process of using same in which residence time of feed within a chamber of a reactor is shortened. Feed is injected into the reactor into a non-reactive zone. The non-reactive zone has two portions, a first portion receiving the feed, and a second portion receiving a purge gas. The purge gas will flow from the second portion to the first portion to prevent flow of the feed from the first portion to the second portion. The combined gas may be passed to a reaction zone for catalytic reforming. The first portion and the second portion may be separated by a baffle.

Process for reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising paraffins and naphthenes. A hydrocarbon feedstock is contacted with a first reforming catalyst in a first reactor at a temperature and pressure that facilitates conversion of naphthenes to aromatics while converting less than 50 wt. % of paraffins in the feedstock to olefins, thereby producing a first effluent that is separated into a first fraction that is enriched in aromatics and a second fraction that is enriched in paraffins. The second fraction is contacted with a second reforming catalyst in a second reactor at a temperature and pressure that converts at least 50 wt. % of paraffins in the second fraction to olefins. The process produces a liquid hydrocarbon reformate product suitable for use as a blend component of a liquid transportation fuel.

Process for reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising paraffins and naphthenes. A hydrocarbon feedstock is contacted with a first reforming catalyst in a first reactor at a temperature and pressure that facilitates conversion of naphthenes to aromatics while converting less than 50 wt. % of paraffins in the feedstock to olefins, thereby producing a first effluent that is separated into a first fraction that is enriched in aromatics and a second fraction that is enriched in paraffins. The second fraction is contacted with a second reforming catalyst in a second reactor at a temperature and pressure that converts at least 50 wt. % of paraffins in the second fraction to olefins. The process produces a liquid hydrocarbon reformate product suitable for use as a blend component of a liquid transportation fuel.