AM-94-54 Advanced RWDTM Technology for Ethers Provides Gasoline Flexibility

Description:

As a result of the 1990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act (CAA), refiners are being forced to increase oxygenate production from existing plants or install new oxygenate production capacity or both to meet more stringent requirements. Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME) have become the oxygenates of choice for refiners because of their high blending octane, low blending RVP, low affinity for water, and excellent gasoline-blending characteristics. With the extension of the ethanol blender tax credit to the ethanol content of ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE) and the proposed renewable oxygenate mandate from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), many refiners are looking at ETBE production to increase the oxygenate content of their gasoline pool.