High octane ethers from synthesis gas-derived alcohols

Technical Report · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6557005· OSTI ID:6557005

Klier, K; Herman, R G; Feeley, O C; Johansson, M A

The objective of the proposed research is to synthesize high octane ethers, primarily methyl isobutyl 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-l-propanol (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. MIBE is an isomer of MTBE and a process is proposed whereby MTBE from the two alcohols is maximized and MIBE is minimized. 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[degree]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, and the better catalysts of these classes will be subjected to long term performance studies. The long term performance studies of the combined process will extend to 1000 hr and detailed analytical data for all products will be provided.

• Research Organization: Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, PA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC22-90PC90044
• OSTI ID: 6557005
• Report Number(s): DOE/PC/90044-7; ON: DE93013524
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010404* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Gasification
010408 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- C1 Processes-- (1987-)
2-METHYLPROPANOL
ALCOHOLS
CATALYSTS
COAL GASIFICATION
CONVERSION
DOCUMENT TYPES
ETHERS
FLUIDS
GASES
GASIFICATION
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
METHANOL
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROGRESS REPORT
SYNTHESIS
SYNTHESIS GAS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES