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Make isobutylene from methanol

Journal Article · · Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5839299

A stream containing from 8 to 15% by weight of isobutylene and 15 to 50% isobutane can be produced from methanol by using silicalite (S-115) impregnated with oxides of thorium, zirconium, titanium, or manganese. The isobutylene can be recovered from this stream and used in the manufacture of methyl-t-butylether, butyl rubber, polybutenes, alkylate, maleic anhydride-isobutylene copolymer, or synthesis of 2,5-dimethylhexadiene, an intermediate in the manufacture of pyrethroid insecticides. The isobutane can be dehydrogenated to produce isobutylene. The majority of isobutylene is obtained from the C/sub 4/ cuts from steam or catalytic crackers or from field butanes. Steam crackers produce a stream with 18-32% isobutylene while catalytic crackers produce a stream with 10-20%. Current capacity is approximately 3.5 million metric tons per year. The use of MTBE as a gasoline additive could create a short-fall of 350,000 to 400,000 bpd in the U.S. and 20,000 bpd in western Europe by 1985. Therefore, production of isobutylene from methanol is a possible route for providing the feedstock for MTBE production. The economics of the process will depend on the value of the byproducts.

Research Organization:
Texas AandM University, College Station, Texas
OSTI ID:
5839299
Journal Information:
Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States), Journal Name: Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States) Vol. 63:11; ISSN HYPRA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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