Patent ID: 7252754

Claim:
A process for producing a readily biodegradable synthetic middle distillate, the process including: (a) separating the products obtained from synthesis gas via the FT synthesis reaction into one or more heavier fraction and one lighter fraction, wherein the one or more heavier fraction of step (a) boils above about 270° C., and wherein the lighter fraction boils in the range C 5 to the boiling point of the heavier fraction, and the lighter fraction is separately hydrotreated prior to step (d); (b) catalytically processing the one or more heavier fraction under conditions which yield mainly middle distillates; (c) separating the middle distillate product of step (b) from the lighter product and heavier product that are also produced in step (b); and (d) blending the middle distillate fraction obtained in step (c) with at least a portion of the lighter fraction of step (a), or products thereof wherein at least 60% of the synthetic middle distillate is biodegraded within 28 days as measured by the Carbon Dioxide Evolution method.