Gasoline MTBE content

In 2001 the MTBE content in all gasoline types averaged 2.1% in Europe, hi Germany the average MTBE content in the year 2001 amounted to 0.43 vol % in regular grade fuel (market share 32.1%), 3.0 vol % in the euro-super (market share 64.1%) and 10.2 vol % in the super-plus fuel (market share 3.8%). hi the super-plus, peak values up to 15% by volume were measured [1]. 

MTBE - Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) is an ether compound used as a gasoline blending component to raise the oxygen content of gasoline. MTBE is made by combining isobutylene (from various refining and chemical processes) and methanol (usually made from natural gas). 

The ether process combines an alcohol with an iso-olefin. In the United States, a weight percentage of oxygenate (2 wt.%) content is mandated for reformulated gasoline (RFG). The most common oxygenate currently used is methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE). Methanol and the iso-olefin form of isobutylene are reacted to form MTBE. Other alcohols, such as ethanol, may be reacted with iso-butylene to form ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE). Methanol can be reacted with iso-amylene, another iso-olefin, to form tertiary amyl-methyl ether (TAME). Of all the mentioned ethers, MTBE is the one most widely used as a gasoline-blending component.16... 

The introduction of catalytic converters has had a tremendous impact on the composition of gasoline. The catalysts used became poisoned by small amounts of impurities in particular the lead compounds present in high octane gasoline were detrimental. Processes which produce high octane number compounds were therefore stimulated. First, cracking and reforming increased in importance. More recently, the aromatics content is also expected to have to decrease and alternative processes are in use or under way, e.g. the production of MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether). 

Reformulated gasoline blends have several advantages over gasohol (gasoline-alcohol mixtures) and MTBE blends. REG blends evaporate less readily because they have a lower vapor pressure, and they have lower benzene and sulfur contents. Gasoline blends, as well as other petroleum distillates, are an inhalation hazard to humans. Hydrocarbon distillates have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. The products from the combustion of gasoline, specifically carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, have been linked to the dissipation of the protective ozone layer... 

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