AM-92-26 OLEFINS UTILIZATION AND OXYGENATE PRODUCTION

Description:

As a result of the 1990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act (CAA), between one-third and one-half of the U.S. gasoline pool will require oxygenates. Beginning in November 1992, meeting the new regulations in CO nonattainment areas will require that gasoline contains 2.7 wt-% oxygen during the four winter months. Starting in January 1995, gasoline sold in ozone nonattainment areas must contain 2.0 wt-% oxygen during the entire year. To meet these oxygenate requirements, refiners can either purchase oxygenates or produce them in the refinery. The quantity of oxygenates that can be produced in the refinery depends on the olefin yield from fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) and the technology used to convert these olefins to oxygenates.