Published May 1994
MTBE production based on isobutene from field butanes is becoming the largest source of oxygenate for gasoline blending in the United States. On-purpose isobutene production has emerged rapidly because less costly supplies from traditional sources of isobutene (refinery FCC units and petrochemical plant crackers) are inadequate to meet projected MTBE requirements in the United States. The 1990 U.S. Clean Air Act Amendments require gasoline to contain less than or equal to 2.7 wt% oxygen in carbon monoxide non-attainment areas during winter months beginning in the winter 1992, and less than or equal to 2.0 wt% oxygen in ozone non-attainment areas year-round beginning in 1995.
Currently, several isobutane dehydrogenation technologies are available commercially. This PEP Review focuses on the Snamprogetti/Yarsintez adiabatic and continuous fluidized-bed dehydrogenation (FBD4) process.
