MTBE Production from Butane
MTBE Production Costs Report | Issue C | Q3 2024
Report Details |
700 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages |
This report presents a cost analysis of a 700 kta (kilo metric ton per annum) United States-based plant. You can add a customized cost analysis, assuming another location (country), when ordering a premium edition of this report.
Report Abstract
This report presents a feasibility analysis of an on-purpose Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE) production plant from butane and methanol in the United States. Initially, n-butane is isomerized to isobutane, which is then subjected to a dehydrogenation, yielding isobutylene. In the final step, generated isobutylene and methanol react leading to the formation of MTBE. These steps are similar to Butamer, Oleflex and Ethermax processes in sequence.
The report provides a comprehensive study of MTBE production and related MTBE production cost, covering three key aspects: a complete description of the MTBE production process examined; an in-depth analysis of the related MTBE plant capital cost (Capex); and an evaluation of the respective MTBE plant operating costs (Opex).
The MTBE production process description includes a block flow diagram (BFD), an overview of the industrial site installations, detailing both the process unit and the necessary infrastructure, process consumption figures and comprehensive process flow diagrams (PFD). The MTBE plant capital cost analysis breaks down the Capex by plant cost (i.e., ISBL, OSBL and Contingency); owner's cost; working capital; and costs incurred during industrial plant commissioning and start-up. The MTBE plant operating costs analysis covers operating expenses, including variable costs like raw materials and utilities, and fixed costs such as maintenance, labor, and depreciation.
Process Schematic

The process under analysis comprises three major sections: (1) Butane Isomerization; (2) Isobutane Dehydration; and (3) Isobutylene Etherification.
Butane Isomerization. Fresh n-butane, recycled isobutane, and a recovered stream from the Depropanizer downstream are fed to the Deisobutanizer Column. The overhead stream, rich in isobutane, is sent to the Dehydrogenation Preheaters, while the bottom stream containing heavier components is burned as fuel, and a side stream rich in butane is directed to the Isomerization Reactor. Hydrogen recovered from the Cold Box downstream is also fed to this reactor, in which butane is converted into isobutane, and sent to the Lights Removal area, where it is recovered to the Deisobutanizer Column, while a light-ends stream is obtained and burned as fuel.
Isobutane Dehydration. The Deisobutanizer overhead stream is fed to heaters to reach the reaction temperature, and then Dehydrogenation Reactors, where isobutane is converted into isobutylene. A Catalyst Regeneration Unit recovers and returns catalyst to the reactors. The outlet stream from the last reactor is compressed and routed to the Cold Box, where it is liquefied and sent to the Etherification Reactor, while a gaseous stream is routed to a PSA Unit to recover light-ends, burned as fuel, and hydrogen, sent to the Isomerization Reactor upstream.
Isobutylene Etherification. The liquid stream from the Cold Box is mixed with methanol and fed to the Etherification Reactor, where isobutylene is converted into MTBE. The reactor effluent is sent to the Catalytic Distillation Column, where unreacted isobutylene is converted into MTBE, which is recovered from the bottom and sent to storage. The overhead stream is routed to a Wash Column, where methanol is recovered, distilled, and recycled to the reactor, while a hydrocarbon stream is sent to the Depropanizer Column, which recycles a C4 stream to the Deisobutanizer.
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Production Process Information
Process Consumptions
Labor Requirements
Plant Capital Cost Summary
Operating Cost Summary
Production Costs Datasheet
Plant Capital Cost Details
Operating Cost Details
Plant Cost Breakdowns
Plant Capacity Assessment
Process Flow Diagrams
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Content Highlights
Plant Capital Cost Summary
Summary outlining the capital cost required for building the MTBE production plant examined
Plant Capital Cost Details
Detailing of fixed capital (ISBL, OSBL & Owner’s Cost), working capital and additional capital requirements
Plant Cost Breakdowns
Breakdown of MTBE process unit (ISBL) costs and infrastructure (OSBL) costs; plant cost breakdown per discipline
Operating Costs Summary
Summary presenting the operating variable costs and the total operating cost of the MTBE production plant studied
Operating Cost Details
Detailing of utilities costs, operating fixed costs and depreciation
Plant Capacity Assessment
Comparative analysis of capital investment and operating costs for different MTBE plant capacities
Production Process Information
Block Flow Diagram, descriptions of process unit (ISBL) and site infrastructure (OSBL)
Process Consumptions
Raw materials and utilities consumption figures, by-products credits, labor requirements
Process Diagrams
Process flow diagrams (PFD), equipment list and industrial site configuration
Other MTBE Production Cost Reports
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This study provides an economical analysis of Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE) production from a raffinate-1 stream and methanol using a process similar to UOP's Ethermax process for isobutylene etherification in China. In this process, isobutylene from raffinate-1 is submitted to etherification with methanol in a conventional reactor and in a reactive distillation column.
Details: 700 kta China-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue A From $999 USD
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Details: 700 kta China-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue B From $999 USD
The cost analyses presented in this report target a 700 kta (kilo metric ton per annum per annum) China-based plant. For those interested in cost analyses considering other plant capacities and/or locations, Intratec offers a customized analysis as an optional feature.
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