To meet market demand (especially in alkylation gasoline and MTBE production), isobutane production is often increased through chemical conversion.
1. n-Butane Isomerization
- Reaction: n-Butane isomerizes to isobutane under the action of a catalyst.
- Catalyst: Modern catalysts often use solid acid catalysts such as Pt/alumina and molecular sieves (high-temperature gas-phase method).
- Conditions: Temperature 120-200°C, pressure 1.5-3.0 MPa, hydrogen pressure environment to prevent carbon buildup.
- Characteristics: Mature technology, the core process for increasing isobutane production.
2. C4 Olefin Hydrogenation
- Feedstock: C4 fractions from steam cracking or catalytic cracking (containing isobutene, 1-butene, etc.).
- Reaction: Selective hydrogenation under catalysts such as Ni and Pd converts isobutene to isobutane.
- Application: Commonly used to purify C4 fractions for subsequent alkylation or solvent production.
3. Alkylation Byproducts
- Under sulfuric acid or hydrofluoric acid catalysis, isobutane undergoes alkylation with C3-C5 olefins (such as propylene and butene) to produce high-octane gasoline. Part of the isobutane is recycled during this process, and replenishment is necessary when insufficient, thus stimulating demand for its synthesis.
4. Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Byproducts
- During the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of coal or natural gas to produce liquid fuels, a small amount of C4 alkanes are produced as a byproduct, from which isobutane can be separated.
5. Biomass Conversion
- Biomass (such as oils) is converted into renewable liquefied petroleum gas (Bio-LPG) through processes such as hydrodeoxygenation and cracking. This gas contains isobutane, but current production is limited.
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