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Catalytic Process for Converting Fuel Gases into Gasoline--TDA Research, Inc., 12345 West 52nd Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO  80033-1917; 303-940-2300, www.tda.com
Dr. Girish Srinivas, Principal Investigator, srinivas@tda.com 
Mr. John D. Wright, Business Official, jdwright@tda.com 
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-03ER83876
Amount:  $750,000

Gasoline is the largest-volume fuel used in the United States , but only 41% of each barrel of crude oil is converted into gasoline.  Various off-gas streams in the refinery contain potentially valuable hydrocarbons that are not economical to recover by traditional means, and, as a result, they are usually burned as an inexpensive refinery fuel.  This project will develop a new catalytic process that will convert these hydrocarbons into gasoline-blending components.  Phase I demonstrated that, on a laboratory scale, the catalyst could effectively convert the fuel gases into gasoline-blending stock.  Phase II will develop and demonstrate a continuous process on a bench scale.  The technology will then be demonstrated in a Texas refinery to determine feasibility for using the technology commercially.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee:  By converting refinery hydrocarbon off-gases, approximately 200,000 bbl/day of additional gasoline could be achieved in the U.S. alone (worth approximately $1.5 billion annually).  Already, several companies in the petroleum refining and process licensing business have expressed interest in the potential of this new technology.