Etherification of FCC Light Gasoline with Methanol

The etherification with methanol of C 5 and C 6 compounds present in FCC light gasoline was studied. The catalyst used in the experiments was a cation-exchange resin, and the temperature range was 323−353 K. The initial etherification rates were measured in a batch reactor. The reactivities of the alkenes were compared by calculating the rate constants. The rate constant of 1-methylcyclopentene was the highest for the C 6 compounds. The effects of thermodynamic limitations on the etherification of FCC light gasoline were studied in a plug flow reactor. The thermodynamic limitations were significant for 1-methoxy-1-methylcyclopentane above 323 K and for the formation of the other C 6 methyl ethers at temperatures above 333 K. The experimental equilibrium constants were calculated at temperatures of 343 and 353 K and the values compared with the published values.