MTBE (methyl tert. -butyl ether) aids efficiency of refinery C/sub 4/'s

Journal Article · Mon Aug 11 00:00:00 EDT 1980 · Oil Gas J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6423328

Smith, L A ^[1]; Parker, K E

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1. Chem. Res. Licensing Co.

Chemical Research and Licensing Co. and Neochem Corp. have jointly developed an energy-efficient technology, licensed by Chemical Research, for converting the 9-12.5% isobutylene contained in a refinery butane-butene catalytic cracker stream to MTBE on a cost competitive basis. The process uses conventional reaction temperature and pressure and an available commercially proven proprietary catalyst system. Total potential MTBE production would be expanded from 65,000 bbl/day at present, to about 300,000-350,000 bbl/day if isobutylenes contained in refinery butane-butene were used as feedstock. The costs of producing 1358 bbl/day of MTBE from a stream containing 12.5% isobutylene at a typical-pattern 130,000 bbl/day Mid-Continent refinery are estimated at $0.946/gal (exclusive of royalties) with $2.9 million investment costs, and revenues are estimated at $19.9 million/yr as a result of a 407 bbl/day increase in gasoline production made possible by the high octane number of MTBE, which permits a reduction in reforming severity, and increased efficiency of isobutylene and energy use compared with direct use of the entire C/sub 4/ stream in alkylation.

• OSTI ID: 6423328
• Journal Information: Oil Gas J.; (United States), Vol. 78:32
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
2-METHYLPROPENE
RECOVERY
USES
ETHERS
ANTIKNOCK RATINGS
PRODUCTION
ALKYLATION
BUTANE
BUTENES
CATALYTIC CRACKING
COST
ECONOMICS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
GASOLINE
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
PROFITS
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
ALKANES
ALKENES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CRACKING
DECOMPOSITION
EFFICIENCY
FUELS
HYDROCARBONS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
LIQUID FUELS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PYROLYSIS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
020400* - Petroleum- Processing