Bifunctional catalysts were investigated in the temperature range 320-400 degrees C, at pressures 40-80 atm, GHSV=500-20,000 h(-1), ratio H-2/CO = 2-10. The influence of the Zn-Cr/ZSM-5 catalyst composition on the products distribution and the process productivity with regard to the liquid hydrocarbons (gasoline range) has been studied. It has been shown that the products distribution depends mainly upon the molar ratio H-2/CO and GHSV, while the main factors affecting the process productivity and the yield of the liquid hydrocarbons are pressure and temperature in the reactor. On the basis of the experimental data, mathematical modelling has been performed for the process flow sheet with the unreacted gas recycled. The influence of various parameters of the process on the catalyst productivity with regard to liquid hydrocarbons was studied. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.