Current uses and trends in catalytic isomerization, alkylation and etherification processes to improve gasoline quality

Abstract

Due to the growing restrictions on the content of aromatic compounds by the European legislation in motor fuels and at the same time the need for higher quality fuels (minimizing the presence of contaminants and hazardous products to health), it has become necessary to increase processes that can maximize the number of octane in gasoline. This manuscript is aimed to provide current trends and processes related to isomerization, alkylation and etherification processes to improve gasolines as final product. Examples provided include the isomerization of light n-alkanes into iso-alkanes or the alkylation, in which the preferred olefin is the methylbutilene and i-butane to produce a high octane number gasoline. Currently, there are two main commercial processes for alkylation processes (hydrofluoric and sulfuric acid technologies). Other incoming suitable process is the etherification of iso-olefins to bio-ethers (the European Union have as a minimum target of biofuel content in fuels of 10% in 2020). The refiners are recently investing in the production of bio-ETBE (ethyl tertiary butyl ether) and other products as additives using bio-ethanol and olefins. Commercial and new potential catalysts for all these processes are currently being used and under investigation.

The study of industrializable ionic liquid catalysts for long‐chain alkenes Friedel–Crafts alkylation

“…Hence, HF should be replaced urgently as an alkylation catalyst. [6,7] Solid acid has not been industrialized on a large scale owing to its difficult regeneration and high cost. [8,9] For these reasons, ionic liquids (ILs) are being investigated for their unique chemical and physical properties such as low vapor pressure, non-flammability, mild reaction conditions, thermal stability and recyclability.…”

High-Throughput Screening of Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Conversion of Furfural to Bio-Based Fuel Components

“…Etherification is an important reaction for the production of biofuels, as it reduces the amount of hygroscopic alcohol groups, and increases both the energy content and cetane number [5,6]. In contrast, the petrochemical industry employs catalytic processes to introduce oxygen in hydrocarbons [7].…”

From laboratory catalysts to a new prototype: a novel real candidate for the isomerization of C5–C6 paraffins

“…[9][10][11] The hydro-isomerization of paraffins is an important reaction for the production of quality gasoline and diesel fuels. [5][6][7][8] Zirconia catalysts (Pt/WO x -ZrO 2 ) were supposed to remove disadvantages related to environmental concerns of traditional commercial alumina-based 7,8 catalysts doped by chlorine and at the same time to reach sufficient activity and selectivity for n-alkane skeletal isomerization. [11][12][13][14] Nevertheless, the published works were carried out using short times of reaction and model feeds or simulated reformate feedstock.…”