AM-95-45 ISOTEX: TEXACO’S OLEFIN SKELETAL ISOMERXZATXON PROCESS

Description:

Texaco has developed a new process (IsoTex) for the skeletal isomerization of n-olefins. The IsoTex process can convert normal butenes to isobutylene or normal pentenes to isoamylenes. The resulting product stream is an excellent feed for MTBE, ETBE or TAME units. The process has isomerized an untreated refinery C4 raffinate stream from an MTBE plant. A kinetic mode1 was developed for the butene system. This model accurately predicted IsoTex performance in a 1 barrel per day skid unit at a gulf coast chemical plant. Process economics have been calculated for a once through 54,000 BPD C, isomerization plant as well as a 10,000 BPD plant for recycle to an existing MTBE reactor. Economics have also been completed for a 6,800 BPD pentene once through isomerization unit.