CDIB Block Flow Diagram

Ca t a l y t i c
Di s t i l l a t i on
Te c hnol ogi e s
Isobutylene From MTBE Decomposition
T e c h n o l o g y P r o f i l e
Overvi ew The CDIB technology,
based on decomposition of MTBE, is a
cost effective route for the production
of high purity isobutylene. CDIB is one
of a family of process technologies
developed and commercialized by
Catalytic Distillation Technologies
(CDTECH) for license to the petroleum
refining and petrochemical industries.
CDTECH is a partnership between
ABB Lummus Global Inc. and Chemical
Research & Licensing, a CRI company.
Isobutylene-General CDIB technology uses a CDTECH proprietary catalyst to
decompose commercial grade MTBE feed to high purity isobutylene and commercial
grade methanol. Isobutylene purity of greater than 99.9% is achievable.
The commercial MTBE feedstock is first fractionated to remove light ends and heavies.
The high purity MTBE is then fed to the decomposition reactor where MTBE is converted
to isobutylene and methanol. The decomposition reaction takes place in vapor phase and
is performed with high selectivity. Heat of reaction is supplied by medium pressure
steam. The methanol is extracted from the reactor effluent in a water wash. The aqueous
stream is fractionated to recover the wash water and MTBE for recycle, and to produce
high quality methanol. The water-washed reactor effluent is fractionated to remove heav-
ies (including MTBE for recycle) and light ends, leaving a high purity (>99.9%) isobutylene
product.
The CDIB technology can be provided in a stand-alone unit or can be coupled with a
CDMtbe

unit to provide a very efficient integrated unit. Capital and operating costs are
reduced when compared to separate units. Isobutylene product purification can be simpli-
fied by providing recycle to the MTBE unit. CDIB methanol recovery can be simplified by
combining it with MTBE unit methanol recovery in common equipment.
Block flow diagrams for a stand-alone unit and an integrated MTBE/IB unit are shown
below.
MTBE
MTBE
Wash water
Methanol/
MTBE/Water
Methanol
C
4
Raffinate
Lights
High Purity
Isobutylene
Heavies

Integrated MTBE/Isobutylene Block Flow Diagram

MTBE
Fuel
High Purity
Isobutylene
MTBE, IB
Methanol
MTBE Product
Purification
Reaction
Pre-
fractionation
Methanol
Recovery
Lights
Heavies
C
4
Feed
Methanol CDMtbe
CDIB
(Isobutylene)
MTBE Product
MTBE Recycle
Methanol Recycle

Typical Overall Material Balance MTBE conversion percent: 88

Feeds Kg/HR
MTBE (97% purity) 27,625
Products
Isobutylene 16,875
Methanol 9,679
Purge and vents 1,071
Isobutylene Product Composition
Wt.%
Isobutylene 99.75 min.
Butadiene 100 ppm max.
Butenes 1,000 ppm max.
TBA 10 ppm max.
DME 10 ppm max.
Water 10 ppm max.
Methanol 10 ppm max.
Total 100.0
Methanol Product Composition
Wt.%
Methanol 99.85 min.
Water 500 ppm max.
MTBE 500 ppm max.
MSBE 500 ppm max.
TAA 500 ppm max.
Total 100.0
Ca t a l y t i c
Di s t i l l a t i on
Te c hnol ogi e s
Process Chemistry
CH
3
COCH
3
CH
3
OH
CH
3
C
=
CH
2
CH
3
MTBE Isobutylene Methanol
CH
3
CH
3
Advantages
CDIB process offers:
Simple and effective control
Long catalyst life
High MTBE conversion
High isobutylene selectivity
High flexibility
Low capital cost
High purity isobutylene
No waste treatment requirements
No corrosion problems
Significant operating experience
MTBE integration offers:
Reduced capital cost
Reduced operating costs
Decomposition
CDTECH
3010 Briarpark Drive
Houston, TX 77042 USA
Tel: 713-821-5181
Fax: 713-821-3587
Isobutylene from MTBE Decomposition
8/04