PREPARATION OF ALKYL TERTIARY-BUTYL ETHERS AND C 5 + GASOLINE BOILING RANGE HYDROCARBONS FROM ALIPHATIC ALKANOLS AND OLEFINIC HYDROCARBONS

摘要

Methanol or other alcohol is converted to high octane gasoline components by an integrated process wherein crude aqueous alcohol feedstock is extracted with a liquid extractant containing C4 + iso-olefin and reacted to form tertiary-alkyl ethers, such as MTBE. The aqueous raffinate is converted to predominantly gasoline range liquid hydrocarbons in a MTG catalytic reactor, with byproduct alkanes rich in propane and isobutane. Dehydrogenation of C3-C5 alkanes from the MTG unit provides propene and isobutene reactants for subsequent etherification steps. Propene from the MTG dehydrogenation step is reacted with water to produce di-isopropyl ether, which may be blended with MTBE and C6 + MTG hydrocarbons to produce high octane gasoline. Isobutylene and isoamylenes from the MTG dehydrogenation step can be recovered and recycled as a liquid extractant.