Conversion of synthesis gas to hydrocarbon mixtures utilizing dual reactors

Claim 1

In a process for converting synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen to gasoline boiling components wherein synthesis gas is contacted in a first reactor under conditions of elevated temperatures and pressure with an iron containing Fishcher-Tropsch catalyst and the total product from said first reactor is passed to a second reactor containing an acidic crystalline zeolite having a pore diameter greater than about five Angstroms, a silica to alumina ratio of at least 12, a crystal density substantially below 1.6 grams per cubic centimter and a constraint index of from 1 to 12 the improvement which comprises: (a) carrying out said contact in said first reactor at a temperature of from 450° to 670° F., a pressure of from atmospheric to 1500 psig and a weight hourly space velocity of from 0.1 to 10. (b) operating said second reactor at a temperature of from 530° F. to about 850° F., a pressure of from atmospheric to about 1500 psig and at a weight hourly space velocity of from 0.2-30, and (c) recovering a C 5 + gasoline fraction in a yield of at least 40 weight percent based on the total hydrocarbons produced, said gasoline fraction having a boiling range of less than 400° F. at a 90% overhead, and (d) producing methane plus ethane in a amount no greater than 25 weight percent.