Abstract: This invention provides a process to remove nitriles. This invention also provides an improved etherification process that reduces the amount of acidic-ion-exchange-resin catalyst that is deactivated by nitriles. These processes use a water phase to remove nitriles from a hydrocarbon phase followed by a steam, or fuel gas, phase to remove the nitriles from the water phase.

Abstract: A process for the separation of a mixture of an ether, an alcohol and of hydrocarbons is described in which the mixture to be separated is introduced into a first distillation column from which almost all of the hydrocarbons are recovered overhead and the purified ether is recovered from the bottom; at least one phase is extracted as a side stream from the first distillation column and sent to a second distillation column from which the alcohol is recovered from the bottom and a mixture of alcohol, ether and hydrocarbons is recovered overhead and recycled to the first distillation column. This process is of particular use in separating mixtures of ethyl tertio-butyl ether (ETBE), ethanol and C.sub.4 hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for the removal of nitrogen-containing compounds from a hydrocarbon blend using a solvent with a liquid-phase density at 25.degree. C. not less than 0.90 g/cm.sup.3, and a Hansen polar solubility parameter .delta..sub.P, and a Hansen hydrogen bonding parameter .delta..sub.H, such that at 25.degree. C.9.0(Cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2 <(.delta..sub.P +.delta..sub.H)<28.0(Cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2.The process is useful for purifying feedstocks to catalytic conversion processes, particularly etherification processes used in the production of ether-rich additives for gasoline.

Abstract: Integrated process for the production of ter-amyl alkyl ethers which comprises the feeding of a C.sub.5 hydrocarbon stream to an etherification reactor and the recycling of the remaining stream to the same reactor, after treatment in an isomerization section to convert linear pentenes into reactive isoamylenes. An absorption section on molecular sieves is inserted between the etherification reactor and the isomerization section to eliminate inert hydrocarbons, basically i-pentane and n-pentane.

Abstract: An etherification process combines an alkylation zone with a skeletal olefin isomerization zone in an arrangement that rejects isoalkanes and normal alkanes with only minor loss of valuable olefin isomers. The invention also provides a balanced feed to an alkylation zone for the production of high octane gasoline components. This invention can be used to provide ethers and gasoline boiling range alkylates from either C.sub.4 or C.sub.5 feedstocks. The invention fully utilizes all olefin isomers improve octane and vapor pressure charactristics of the gasoline components.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process and an installation for the production of liquid fuels and raw chemicals from crude petroleum within the framework of a refinery process with process steps for distillation, thermal and/or catalytic cracking, and possibly reformation. The refinery process is directly supplemented by various process steps, i.e. a partial flow of the C.sub.4 components together with a flow of methanol or ethanol is subjected to a catalytic reaction, the unconverted n-butane-containing portion of the components is subjected to isomerization, a part of the isobutane is subjected to a thermal cracking process, and finally the product flow emerging therefrom is guided back, in its entirety or in part, into the fractionation stage for splitting.

Abstract: An improved process for conducting an etherification reaction has been discovered. The process employs a macroporous strong-acid, cation-exchange resin catalyst prepared at a temperature of about 120.degree. C. or higher with a reduced amount of divinylbenzene crosslinker. The etherification catalysts produced in the invention display equivalent or superior catalytic activity than conventional catalysts and are less expensive to produce than conventional catalysts due to reduced amounts of crosslinker.

Abstract: Methanol and isobutylene are reacted to form a methyl tertiary butyl ether product stream containing contaminating quantities of dimethyl ether, methanol and isobutylene that is separated into a first fraction comprising isobutylene and methyl tertiary butyl ether and a second fraction comprising residual methyl tertiary butyl ether, methanol, dimethyl ether and water. The second fraction is separated into a first lower boiling distillation fraction comprising methyl tertiary butyl ether, methanol, isobutylene, dimethyl ether, and water and a first higher boiling distillation fraction comprising methanol and water. Dimethyl ether and isobutylene are recovered from the first lower boiling distillation fraction and charged to a second distillation column for separation into a second lower boiling distillation fraction consisting essentially of dimethyl ether and a second higher boiling distillation fraction comprising dimethyl ether and isobutylene.

Abstract: An impure methyl tertiary butyl ether product contaminated with isobutylene, methanol and water is purified by continuous counter-current contact with water and an isobutylene fraction in an extraction zone comprising a counter-current contact tower to provide an overhead raffinate comprising isobutylene, methyl tertiary butyl ether and a minor amount of water and an extract comprising methanol, water and a minor amount of methyl tertiary butyl ether; the overhead raffinate being separated in a methyl tertiary butyl ether purification distillation zone into a lighter distillation fraction comprising isobutylene and water and a heavier distillation fraction consisting essentially of methyl tertiary butyl ether; the lighter distillation fraction being decanted to remove water and to provide a distillate isobutylene fraction that is returned to the contact tower as the isobutylene fraction.

Abstract: The invention concerns steps in a process for the synthesis of at least one alkyl tertiobutyl ether, preferably respectively MTBE or ETBE, from at least one alcohol and from isobutene, each synthesized at least partially from natural gas. The alcohol, preferably methanol or ethanol respectively, is synthesized at least partially from synthesis gas, a portion of said synthesis gas being prepared in a natural gas steam prereforming zone. The isobutene is synthesized in a series of processes which includes direct transformation of natural gas to ethylene, known as oxidative coupling of methane (OCM), dimerisation of ethylene to normal butene, isomerisation of n-butene to isobutene, and the separation units associated therewith.

Abstract: Mercaptans and olefins are removed from paraffin-rich feed streams through the use of dual zone catalytic distillation in the substantial absence of hydrogen. The mercaptans are reacted with the olefins using a first catalyst such as a sulphonated resin to form less volatile thioethers removed as part of a net bottoms stream. The remaining olefins are oligomerized in a higher catalyst zone preferably employing a catalyst, such as a dealuminated Y zeolite, having a higher oligomerization activity at the imposed conditions.

Abstract: A tertiary butyl hydroperoxide reaction product is distilled to provide a tertiary butyl alcohol distillation fraction containing tertiary butyl alcohol and a heavier fraction containing unreacted tertiary butyl hydroperoxide, and reaction by-products boiling below tertiary butyl alcohol, the tertiary butyl alcohol fraction is charged to a vacuum distillation column for separation into a vaporized overhead tertiary butyl alcohol fraction that is cooled to obtain a liquefaction product containing a minor amount of vaporized tertiary butyl alcohol and a major amount of a liquified tertiary butyl alcohol, andthe tertiary butyl alcohol vapors are dissolved in water to form an aqueous solution of tertiary butyl alcohol from which the tertiary butyl alcohol is recovered.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and an apparatus for preparing tertiary ethers. According to the process, C.sub.4 to C.sub.6 isoolefins and possibly heavier olefins contained in the feedstock are reacted with lower aliphatic alcohols, in particular methanol or ethanol, in a catalytic distillation reactor system in order to produce the corresponding ethers. According to the invention, the reaction between the isoolefins and the alcohols is essentially carried out in at least one reactor (5-7) of the kind, which is combined with a distillation column (3) intended for product separation, by conducting at least a part of the liquid flow of the column through the reactor and returning it to a lower tray than the one from which it was taken. At least half of cation exchange resin is placed in the side reactor (5-7). In the process according to the invention, the catalyst can be rapidly changed without stopping the process.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine fuel is produced from a mixture of hydrocarbons comprising olefinic hydrocarbons containing 5 to 8 carbon atoms characterized in that it is produced by a process comprising a) a catalytic etherification step for at least a portion of the etherifiable olefins contained in said hydrocarbon mixture, using at least one alcohol containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, the quantity of alcohol employed being such that the alcohol:etherifiable olefin molar ratio is at least 1:1, and b) a water washing step for the ether-containing product before recovery as a fuel.

Abstract: A process for removing dienes from etherification uses a hydrogenation zone in the reactor distillation column above the etherification zone. MTBE is produced and the unreacted C.sub.4 stream is also subjected to selective hydrogenation of the butadiene contained in the C.sub.4 feed stream. The C.sub.4 stream is first contacted with methanol in the etherification zone where the MTBE is distilled downward. The unreacted C.sub.4 's then are subjected to selective hydrogenation in the hydrogenation zone where butadiene in the overhead raffinate is reduced by over 90%. The hydrotreated C.sub.4 's are thus suitable for cold acid alkylation or other use wherein butadiene is harmful.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cyclic process for the preparation of ethyl tert.-alkyl ethers by the reaction of an alcohol, such as ethanol, with an iso-olefin such as isobutylene or isoamylene wherein an effluent from the reaction zone is first separated in a distillation column to provide an overhead effluent stream and a bottoms effluent stream comprising ethyl tert.-alkyl ether and unreacted ethanol, and the ether product is passed to an adsorption zone to remove the unreacted ethanol. When the reaction occurs in the presence of water, a tert. alcohol (e.g., TBA or TAA) is produced and, if returned to the reaction zone, the tertiary alcohol builds up in the process and reduces efficiency.

Abstract: An improved method of recovering methyl tertiary butyl ether from an etherification reaction product containing acidic by-products wherein the reaction product is charged to an MTBE distillation zone and fractionated therein to provide a lower boiling distillation fraction comprising isobutylene, methyl tertiary butyl ether, methanol and acidic by-products, wherein the lower boiling distillation fraction is counter-currently washed with alkaline water in a methanol extraction tower, and wherein an aqueous solution of an alkali is injected into the tower below the charge point for the wash water to substantially completely neutralize the acidic by-products and to provide an overhead extract substantially free from acidic by-products comprising isobutylene, methyl tertiary butyl ether and a minor amount of water, and a bottoms raffinate comprising methanol, water, alkaline by-products and a minor amount of methyl tertiary butyl ether.

Abstract: A process for production of alkyl tertiary alkyl ethers in C.sub.4 + hydrocarbon streams rich in isoolefins, typically containing catalyst deactivating amounts of dienes and/or compounds containing heteroatoms. The process is especially advantageous in extending the cycle length for the zeolite catalyzed etherification of isoolefins in C.sub.4 + FCC gasoline by reducing catalyst aging. It has been discovered that if hydrogen is cofed with the alkanol and C.sub.4 + isoolefin rich feedstreams to an etherification reaction catalyzed by acidic zeolite wherein the zeolite has been impregnated with a noble metal the rate of catalyst aging or deactivation is substantially lowered. The process is especially effective, i.e., catalyst aging is particularly reduced, when hydrogen is cofed to an etherification reaction using acidic zeolite Beta catalyst containing palladium.

Abstract: A process for separating a mixture containing mainly ethyl tertio-butyl ether (ETBE), ethanol and C.sub.4 hydrocarbons includes introducing the mixture to be separated into a debutanizer from which the C.sub.4 hydrocarbons are recovered overhead with a fraction of the ethanol, and purified ETBE is recovered as a bottom product; a side stream of an ethanol-rich phase is extracted and sent to a permeation zone in which the dense film of the membrane is constituted by a N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate polymer (DMAEMA) or a copolymer of DMAEMA with N-vinylcaprolactam (NVCL) and/or with N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP); the ethanol-depleted retentate from this permeation zone is returned to the debutanizer and the permeate contains mainly separated ethanol.The process can be integrated into an ETBE production process, in which the ethanol separated during the permeation step is recycled to the etherification reactor. The debutanizer may be replaced by a catalytic distillation column.

Abstract: A process for conversion of crude hydrocarbon mixtures comprising tertiary olefins and gum-forming constituents with an alcohol in the presence of hydrogen, which process comprises contacting the crude hydrocarbon mixture, the alcohol, and hydrogen with a catalyst comprising an acidic molecular sieve containing an active hydrogenation metal component, as well as a stabilized crude hydrocarbon mixture containing alkyl tertiary alkyl ethers. A process for conversion of a tertiary olefin which contains one or more additional ethylenically or acetylenically unsaturated bonds.

Abstract: A process for producing ethyl tertiary butyl ether and for the substantially complete recovery by fractional distillation of the unreacted ethanol contained in an etherification reaction zone product stream as a product along with the ethyl tertiary butyl ether reaction product. This process utilizes methanol as a fractionator feed additive to enhance the recovery of ethanol as a bottoms product.

Abstract: In a single stage process for producing diisopropyl ether in the presence of an organic solvent, SO.sub.3 from a DIPE reactor effluent is transferred to an aqueous phase in a liquid extraction zone and removed from the aqueous phase using a basic ion exchange resin disposed in an SO.sub.3 removal zone. As a consequence, DIPE reactor effluent can be returned to the DIPE reactor to serve as a solvent and to assist in providing cooling to the DIPE reactor without causing catalyst deactivation.

Abstract: MTBE, prepared by reacting MeOH with TBA to form a primary etherification reaction product, is distilled in a first distillation column to provide a first lower boiling distillation fraction comprising methyl tertiary butyl ether, isobutylene, methanol, dimethyl ether, and the first lower boiling fraction is water washed to provide an overhead extract that is distilled in a second distillation column to provide a second lower boiling distillation fraction comprising isobutylene, dimethyl ether and water, which is dewatered to provide a feed fraction comprising isobutylene and dimethyl ether that is reacted with less than an equivalent amount of MeOH to provide a secondary reaction product comprising MTBE, less than 0.5 wt. % of MeOH, isobutylene and contaminants including TBA and dimethyl ether, and the secondary reaction product is recycled to the second distillation column.

Abstract: A process is directed to the removal of impurities such as sulfur compounds, oxygenates, and/or olefins from a light paraffin hydrocarbon feedstock such as a C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 fraction, which may be used subsequently in an isomerization process in an integrated complex for the production of ethers such as MTBE and TAME. The hydrocarbon feedstream is passed to a removal zone wherein the hydrocarbon feedstream is contacted with a selective solvent for the removal of the impurities comprising at least one of sulfur compounds, oxygenates and olefins to provide a rich solvent stream and a treated hydrocarbon stream. The rich solvent comprising the trace impurities is contacted with a stripping medium stream to regenerate the selective solvent in a stripping zone. The removal zone may be a liquid-liquid extraction zone or a gas absorption zone.

Abstract: A multistaged fixed catalyst bed process for the production of diisopropyl ether and isopropanol is disclosed comprising a fixed bed of serially connected stages containing zeolite Beta catalyst. A feedstream of propylene and water equivalents selected from the group consisting of water, isopropanol and diisopropyl ether is introduced into each stage at a rate sufficient to provide a mole ratio of water equivalents to propylene equivalents that increases in increments by stage from at least 0.1 in a first stage to at most 1.2 in a final stage. The feedstream is introduced at a temperature between 50.degree. and 450.degree. C., pressure between 700 and 24000 kPa, and weight hourly space velocity between 0.10 and 30, based on catalyst, whereby a single non-aqueous liquid phase is maintained in the fixed bed. An effluent product stream is recovered comprising diisopropyl ether, isopropanol and water from the final stage. Isopropanol is recycled to the first stage when the preferred product is diisopropyl ether.

Abstract: The present invention is a cyclic process for the preparation of ethyl tert.-alkyl ethers by the reaction of an alcohol, ethanol, with an iso-olefin such as isobutylene or isoamylene wherein an effluent from the reaction zone is separated in a distillation column to provide an overhead effluent stream and a bottoms effluent stream comprising ethyl tert.-alkyl ether and unreacted ethanol. The unreacted ethanol is recovered in an adsorption zone comprising a selective adsorbent selected from the group consisting of zeolite 13X, sodium zeolite Y, alumina, silicalite and mixtures thereof. The invention is useful in recovering unreacted ethanol from the bottoms effluent stream and returning the unreacted ethanol to the reaction zone. The invention reduces the cost of this separation which is complicated by the formation of an azeotrope between the unreacted alcohol and the ether.

Abstract: A process for the production of R.sub.2 -isoolefins by decomposition of R.sub.1 --O-tertiary-R.sub.2 is disclosed. R.sub.1 --O-secondary-R.sub.2 that are normally present in the feed stream are selectively removed. Removal of these R.sub.1 --O-secondary-R.sub.2 lowers the R.sub.2 -normal olefin impurity and increases the yield of the product R.sub.2 -isoolefins.

Abstract: In the multistage distillation of a methyl tertiary butyl ether reaction product comprising methyl tertiary butyl ether, tertiary butyl alcohol, methanol, isobutylene and water, the methyl tertiary butyl ether reaction product is separated in a primary methyl tertiary butyl ether distillation column into a lower boiling methyl tertiary butyl ether fraction and a higher boiling aqueous tertiary butyl alcohol fraction; the lower boiling aqueous tertiary butyl alcohol fraction is separated in a tertiary butyl alcohol distillation column into a vaporized overhead tertiary butyl alcohol fraction and a higher boiling water fraction; cooling water is charged to the reflux condenser for the tertiary butyl alcohol distillation column to liquify the vaporized, overhead tertiary butyl alcohol fraction and to convert the cooling water to wet steam, and the wet steam is independently charged to the reboiler for the primary methyl tertiary butyl ether distillation zone to supply the heat necessary for the distillation to b

Abstract: An integrated process for the simultaneous production of alkyl tert-butyl ethers and 1-butene, comprising feeding a C.sub.4 hydrocarbon stream to an etherification unit and recycling the remaining stream to the same unit after possible separation of the 1-butene and treatment in an isomerization section to convert the remaining butenes into isobutene, a molecular sieve separation unit operating with the hydrocarbons in the vapour phase being incorporated into the cycle.

Abstract: A process for making and purifying dipropylene glycol tert-butyl ethers (DPTB). DPTB is made by reacting dipropylene glycol with isobutylene in the presence of an acidic catalyst. Extractive distillation of the product mixture using a glycol extracting agent, preferably dipropylene glycol, allows removal of di-tert-butyl ether impurities as an overhead product. The DPTB product is then distilled to separate it from the glycol extracting agent. High-purity DPTB, substantially free of diethers and exceptionally useful as a solvent, is obtained from the process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing tertiary alkyl ethers. According to the process the feedstock containing hydrocarbons is fed to a catalytic distillation reactor system, in which the isoolefines, in particular the C.sub.4 to C.sub.7 isoolefines, of the feed are reacted with an alkanol in the presence of a cation exchange resin in order to produce tertiary alkyl ether products. The reaction product containing the ethers is removed from the distillation system as the bottoms product and, if necessary, it is subjected to an additional treatment for producing a gasoline component. The unreacted alkanol is removed as the overhead product of the distillation. According to the invention, the distillate withdrawn mainly contains an azeotrope of C.sub.4 hydrocarbons and alkanol, the C.sub.4 amount of which at least approximately corresponds to the C.sub.4 hydrocarbon concentration of the hydrocarbon feed, a substantial amount of the unreacted alkanol being removed in the form of said azeotrope.

Abstract: Process for the production of tertiary ethers (MTBE, ETBE, TAME, ETAE) in which a hydrocarbon cut (1) containing four or five carbon atoms is reacted with methanol or ethanol (2, 3) in a reactor and recovering ethers (11) and a distillate (10) after distillation (C.sub.I). The distillate undergoes a first extractive distillation step in column (C.sub.11) in the presence of a solvent (27) which is selective towards olefinic hydrocarbons. A saturated hydrocarbon-rich overhead fraction (15) is recovered along with a bottom fraction (18) which is rich in olefins, solvent and alcohol. The olefins (20) are separated from the solvent and alcohol (24) in a second extractive distillation step (C.sub.III). The olefins are isomerised in a skeletal isomerisation reactor (5) and the isomerate is recycled (2) to reactor (6). The alcohol and solvent are separated in a stripping column (C.sub.IV). Alcohol (26) is recycled to the synthesis reactor (6) while the solvent (27) is recycled to C.sub.II.

Abstract: A process for producing a high purity ether product. This process includes utilizing an additive stream, which preferably contains isobutane, to alter compositions of the overhead and bottoms products of an etherification effluent fractionator so that the alcohol concentration in the overhead product is less than that of the azeotropic composition.

Abstract: A novel process having improved flexibility in olefins production is provided which integrates a deep catalytic cracking process with a steam cracking process, and optionally, also including steps of disproportionation and C.sub.4 hydrocarbon processing including methyl tertiary butyl ether synthesis.

Abstract: In methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) plant n-butane is used to regenerate a molecular sieve adsorption bed of an oxygen removal unit, and contaminated n-butane is purified by distillation and recycled for further regeneration. The requirement for n-butane is thus reduced and little or no contaminated n-butane need be diverted for use as fuel gas.

Abstract: A process for conversion of a feedstock selected from the group consisting of biomass and refuse derived fuel (RDF) to provide reformulated gasoline components comprising a substantial amount of materials selected from the group consisting of ethers, alcohols, or mixtures thereof, comprising: drying said feedstock; subjecting said dried feedstock to fast pyrolysis using a vortex reactor or other means; catalytically cracking vapors resulting from said pyrolysis using a zeolite catalyst; condensing any aromatic byproduct fraction; catalytically alkylating any benzene present in said vapors after condensation; catalytically oligomerizing any remaining ethylene and propylene to higher olefins; isomerizing said olefins to reactive iso-olefins; and catalytically reacting said iso-olefins with an alcohol to form ethers or with water to form alcohols.

Abstract: A process for the production of diisopropyl ether where acid is removed, without extraction, from the reactor effluent before being recycled to the reactor or being passed to downstream processing units has been developed. The process involves (1) reacting propylene and water to produce isopropyl alcohol in a reactor and reacting the isopropyl alcohol with propylene to produce diisopropyl ether in the presence of an acidic ion exchange resin catalyst to afford a reactor effluent stream containing at least water, isopropyl alcohol, diisopropyl ether, propylene, and acid, (2) passing the reactor effluent to an acid removal zone to produce an acid-depleted stream, (3) dividing the acid-depleted stream into two portions, and (4) recycling a portion to the reactor and collecting a portion.

Abstract: A reaction-distillation method is provided in which a chemical reaction and fractionation are conducted in an apparatus having at least one reaction-distillation zone (A,B) including at least one bed of solid elements disposed on a fluid-permeable support (5) having perforations small enough to retain the elements. The bed of solid elements includes loose solid catalytic particles (2) and at least one receptacle (3), containing at least one distillation packing body (4). The external jacket of the at least one receptacle (3) is permeable to fluids and impermeable to the solid catalytic particles (2) and the packing body (4). The apparatus can be used for carrying out chemical reactions and concomitant fractionation of the reaction mixture, for example, to synthesize ethers from olefins and alcohols.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of tertiary alkyl ethers, in particular methyl-tert.-butyl-ether (MTBE), from iso-olefins and aliphatic alcohols by means of a fractionation tower is disclosed, in which the main characteristic of the fractionation tower consists in that the reaction mixture is caused to flow through the catalytic trays in transversal direction relatively to the axis of the same fractionation tower.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of alkyl tertiary alkyl ethers in C.sub.4 + hydrocarbon streams rich in isoolefins, typically containing catalyst deactivating amounts of dienes and/or compounds containing heteroatoms. The process is especially advantageous in extending the cycle length for the zeolite catalyzed etherification of isoolefins in C.sub.4 + FCC gasoline by reducing catalyst aging. It has been discovered that if hydrogen is cofed with the alkanol and C.sub.4 + isoolefin rich feedstreams to an etherification reaction catalyzed by acidic zeolite wherein the zeolite has been impregnated with a noble metal the rate of catalyst aging or deactivation is substantially lowered. The process is especially effective, i.e., catalyst aging is particularly reduced, when hydrogen is cofed to an etherification reaction using acidic zeolite Beta catalyst containing palladium.

Abstract: A process of effecting an acid catalyzed reaction wherein a reactant capable of undergoing an acid catalyzed reaction is contacted with an acid functionalized organically-bridged polysilsesquioxane catalyst where all of the acid functionality is covalently bonded to the organic portion of an organically-bridged polysilsesquioxane framework has been developed. The acid functionalized organically-bridged polysilsesquioxane is formed by polymerizing a monomer through sol-gel processing to form an organically-bridged polysilsesquioxane, reacting an acid group onto the organic portion of the organically-bridged polysilsesquioxane, and recovering the acid functionalized product. An embodiment of the invention is where the acid catalyzed reaction is the hydration of olefins, alkylation, acylation, isomerization, or aldol condensation/elimination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the separation of ethanol from a mixture thereof with ethyl tert.-alkyl ether employing a selective adsorbent comprising a mixture of sodium zeolite Y in combination with alumina wherein the percentage of the sodium zeolite Y ranges between 10 and 40 wt-%. The invention reduces the cost of this separation which is complicated by an azeotrope formation between the alcohol and the ether.

Abstract: A process for concurrently producing diisopropyl ether and isopropyl ethyl ether from water, ethanol from an independent source, and propylene, has been developed. The product mixture may be used as a high octane number booster due mainly to the presence of the diisopropyl ether and to a lesser extent, the isopropyl ethyl ether. Furthermore, the product mixture, upon blending with gasoline, incorporates a renewable resource into the gasoline since the isopropyl ethyl ether is produced from ethanol. Optionally, the product mixture may be passed through an acid removal zone to remove acid, if present, before being recycled or further processed. A portion of the product mixture is recycled to the reaction zone to increase the conversion of reactants to products.

Abstract: Contaminants such as mercaptans, oxygenates and olefins are removed from paraffin-rich feed streams through the use of catalytic distillation performed using an acid catalyst such as a sulphonated resin in the substantial absence of hydrogen. The mercaptans are reacted with the olefins to form less volatile thioethers removed as part of a net bottoms stream with the treated paraffins being removed as the overhead stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing organic acids and derivatives thereof from a crude methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) stream of the type found in the feed to, or effluent from, a reactor for a one-step process for producing MTBE which comprises:contacting said crude MTBE stream in a treating zone over one or more beds of a solid base for a period of time sufficient to neutralize said organic acids and derivatives thereof; andwithdrawing a substantially organic acid-free crude MTBE product from said treating zone.

Abstract: A process for the production of alkyl tert alkyl ether, comprising the steps of providing a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock containing diolefin in an amount greater than or equal to about 2% wt, mixing said feedstock with an alcohol selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol and mixtures thereof and with hydrogen so as to provide a mixture of said feedstock, alcohol and hydrogen and contacting said mixture with an etherification catalyst under etherification process conditions including a pressure sufficient to maintain said hydrogen in a liquid phase, and a space velocity (LHSV) of less than or equal to about 1 h.sup.-1 so as to provide said alkyl tert alkyl ether without poisoning said catalyst.

Abstract: An integrated process for producing iso-butene and alkyl tert-butyl ethers in which the iso-butene is obtained by dehydrogenation of iso-butane followed by purification by partial condensation plus absorption of residual vapor with a solvent, the alkyl tert-butyl ether being obtained by reacting the purified iso-butene product with the corresponding alcohol, the essential characteristic being that the solvent used for absorbing the iso-butene is part of the product alkyl tert-butyl ether itself and/or part of the corresponding alcohol used in the process.

Abstract: Hexenes are produced when propylene is catalytically converted under moderate conditions over chosen small pore zeolite catalysts having small 10-membered ring openings. These chosen catalysts are ZSM-22, ZSM-23, ZSM-35, and ZSM-48. They are unexpectedly effective to dimerize a substantially ethylene-free propylene-rich stream to form mainly hexene isomers, a major portion of which isomers are tert-isohexenes, without making a substantial amount of trimer or other byproducts. The feed is preferably at least 60% by weight, the remainder being alkanes, mainly propane, and the olefins being limited to less than 5 mol % ethylene and less than 5 mol %, preferably less than 2 mol %, of C.sub.4.sup.=+ (mainly butenes). Because propane in the feed is essentially unaffected, plural reactors in series may be used to avoid recycling unreacted propylene with propane to the dimerization reactor.

Abstract: Excess alcohol, e.g. methanol contained in a C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 hydrocarbon stream is removed in process using less water and energy than a conventional water wash by subjecting the stream to a first single stage water wash with 2 to 10 wt % water based on the hydrocarbon where most of the alcohol is removed and then washing the raffinate having reduced methanol therefrom subjected to multistage water wash to remove the remainder of the alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel integration of an existing MTBE process unit with new propylene oxide producing facilities whereby through this integration new propylene oxide production is achieved without significant increase in MTBE production.