High octane ethers from synthesis gas-derived alcohols

Technical Report · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5453644

Klier, K; Herman, R G; Bastian, R D; DeTavernier, S

The objective of the proposed research is to synthesize high octane ethers, primarily methyl isobuty ether (MIBE) and methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), directly from H{sub 2}/CO/CO{sub 2} coal-derived synthesis gas via alcohol mixtures that are rich in methanol and 2-methyl-1-butanol (isobutanol). The overall scheme involves gasification of coal, purification and shifting of the synthesis gas, higher alcohol synthesis, and direct synthesis of ethers. The last stage of the synthesis involves direct coupling of synthesis gas-derived methanol and isobutanol that has been demonstrated by us to occur over superacid catalysts to yield methyl isobutyl ether (MIBE) at moderate pressures and a mixture of methanol and isobutene at low pressures. This will be achieved by the proper choice of reaction conditions, i.e. intermediate pressures, and of inorganic acid catalysts that are stable at temperatures higher than 200{degrees}C, at which the carbonium ion reaction coupling of the two alcohols to MTBE is more effective than the oxonium ion or ester reaction coupling to MIBE. Both organic and inorganic catalysts will be investigated. This quarter, the catalysts investigated were the Dow Chemical Co. fluorocarbon sulfonic acid and (FSA) resin supported on SiC and the DuPont Nafion-H microsaddles. 2 refs., 11 figs., 11 tabs.

• Research Organization: Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, PA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC22-90PC90044
• OSTI ID: 5453644
• Report Number(s): DOE/PC/90044-2; ON: DE91016596
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010408* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- C1 Processes-- (1987-)
ALCOHOLS
BUTANOLS
CARBIDES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ETHERS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
METHANOL
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLYMERS
PROGRESS REPORT
RESINS
SILICON CARBIDES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SULFONIC ACIDS
SYNTHESIS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS