MTBE is produced by reacting isobutene with methanol over a catalyst bed. The isobutene can be obtained from a number sources: a C4 stream from a steam cracker with the butadiene removed (know as Raffinate-1 which is a mixture of isobutene and 1- and 2-butenes); butene-butane fractions from a catalytic cracker; and n-butane (from LPG) which is isomerised to isobutane and then dehydrogenated to isobutene. Lyondell (Arco) derives isobutene from the dehydration of t-butyl alcohol which is coproduced in its propylene oxide process.
The reaction of methanol and isobutene can take place in either a liquid phase or mixed gas-liquid phase reactor containing an acidic ion exchange resin. An alternative catalyst is sulphuric acid. The reaction takes place at a temperature of 50-90oC and a pressure of 20 bar. The reaction mixture is distilled to produce high purity MTBE.
With the future of MTBE as a gasoline additive under threat, a number of processes have been developed to convert existing MTBE units to produce high octane alkylate products. Snamprogetti has developed its SP-Isoether process that allows an MTBE plant to be converted to produce iso-octane using highly selective isobutylene dimerisation without the need for acid alkylation. Kellogg Brown & Root has joined forces with Finland's Fortum Oil and Gas to offer the Nexoctane process for producing iso-octane from existing MTBE facilities. UOP offers its indirect alkylation InAlk process that can be used to revamp MTBE plants to produce a high octane paraffinic gasoline blendstock.
Methyl tertiary butyl ether
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Methyl tertiary butyl ether
Uses and Outlook
Over 90% of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) production has been used in gasoline as an octane booster and oxygenate. MTBE has been favoured over ethanol because of its transportability, superior performance in reducing benzene and formaldehyde in gasoline, and its lower volatile organic compound content.
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