Make isobutylene from methanol

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5839299

Anthony, R G; Thomas, P E

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), Vol. 63:11
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
2-METHYLPROPANE
PRODUCTION
METHANOL
CRACKING
CATALYSTS
CHEMICAL FEEDSTOCKS
PETROCHEMICALS
SILICA
ALCOHOLS
ALKANES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
MINERALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PYROLYSIS
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
020500* - Petroleum- Products & By-Products