Question

Which product is formed on the polymerisation of methylene created from Fischer-Tropsch process?

(a) Diesel fuel

(b) Hydrocarbons

(c) Olefins

(d) Gasoline

This question was addressed to me at a job interview.

This intriguing question comes from Synthetic Gasoline from Non-Petroleum Sources topic in portion Fuels and Combustion of Engineering Chemistry II

Answer 1

Right answer is (c) Olefins

To explain: The mechanism of reactions of Fischer-Tropsch process are

(CO + H2) + H2     →  (CH2)” + H2O + 40 K-cals

            Water gas      Methylene

 n(CH2)”  →  CnH2n

Polymerisation   Olefins

  This is how olefins are produced.