Method for the production of MTBE and 1-butene from a C4 feed stream

A method of producing methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and/or 1-butene, the method comprising:

• distilling a crude C4 hydrocarbon stream that comprises n-butane, 1-butene, 2-butene, isobutane, isobutene, one or more of 1,2-butadiene and 1,3-butadiene, and a catalyst deactivating compound capable of deactivating the catalyst for MTBE synthesis to produce:
• (1) a distillate stream comprising isobutene, isobutane, and 1-butene;
• and (2) a bottom stream comprising 2-butene, n-butane, and the catalyst deactivating compound;
• reacting the isobutene of the distillate stream with methanol in the presence of a catalyst for MTBE synthesis to produce methyl tertiary butyl ether and an unreacted portion of the distillate stream;
• separating the methyl tertiary butyl ether from the unreacted portion of the distillate stream, the unreacted portion comprising isobutane and 1-butene;
• isomerizing, in an isomerization unit, at least some of the 2-butene in the bottom stream to form an isomerized recycle stream comprising 1-butene, non-isomerized 2-butene, and n-butane;
• combining the isomerized recycle stream with the crude C4 hydrocarbon stream for the distilling step;
• and
• distilling the unreacted portion of the distillate stream to produce a second distillate stream comprising isobutane and a second bottom stream comprising primarily 1-butene;
• wherein the MTBE is separated at a recovery rate of 95 to 100 wt. % in the separating step;
• and
• wherein the isomerizing is carried out at a pressure of 15 to 40 bar and distilling the unreacted portion of the distillate stream is carried out under operating conditions including a bottom boiling range of 40 to 70° C., an overhead boiling range of 30 to 60° C., a molar reflux ratio in a range of 55 to 100, and a number of theoretical plates in a range of 85 to 120.

A method of producing methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and/or 1-butene, the method comprising:

• distilling a crude C4 hydrocarbon stream that comprises one or more of n-butane, 1-butene, 2-butene, isobutane, isobutene, 1,2-butadiene, 1,3-butadiene, and a catalyst deactivating compound capable of deactivating the catalyst for MTBE synthesis to produce:
• (1) a distillate stream comprising isobutene, isobutane, and 1-butene;
• and (2) a bottom stream comprising 2-butene, n-butane, and the catalyst deactivating compound;
• reacting the isobutene of the distillate stream with methanol in the presence of a catalyst for MTBE synthesis to produce methyl tertiary butyl ether and an unreacted portion of the distillate stream;
• separating the methyl tertiary butyl ether from the unreacted portion of the distillate stream, the unreacted portion comprising isobutane and 1-butene;
• flowing the bottom stream to an olefins conversion technology unit;
• reacting at least some of the 2-butene of the bottom stream with ethylene in the olefins conversion technology unit to form an effluent comprising propylene and liquefied petroleum gas;
• distilling the unreacted portion of the distillate stream to produce a second distillate stream comprising isobutane and a second bottom stream comprising primarily 1-butene;
• wherein the catalyst deactivating compound is selected from the group consisting of dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, furfural, methoxy-propionitrile, or combinations thereof;
• wherein the MTBE is separated at a recovery rate of 95 to 100% in the separating step;
• wherein the olefins conversion technology unit is operated at a temperature of 100 to 500° C.;
• and
• wherein distilling the unreacted portion of the distillate stream is carried out under operating conditions including a bottom boiling range of 40 to 70° C., an overhead boiling range of 30 to 60° C., a molar reflux ratio in a range of 55 to 100, and a number of theoretical plates in a range of 85 to 120.