Blending Characteristics of Isooctene, MTBE, and TAME as Gasoline Components

Currently, one of the most important problems in Russian refineries is the lack of production of high-octane gasoline that meets current and future environmental requirements. One solution for this problem is blending oxygenates into gasoline, for example, tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME) and methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE). Each of these substances has its advantages and disadvantages. Prospects for obtaining other high-octane components alternative to MTBE and TAME may have good prospects. One choice is dimerization of isobutylene to produce di-isobutylene and the product consists mainly of isooctene isomers. Physico-chemical characteristics of isooctene sample as component of motor gasoline in comparison with MTBE and TAME are investigated. The results showed that the introduction of isooctene, which has low volatility, leads to a decrease in Reid vapor pressure (RVP) of base gasoline at the level of TAME. Furthermore, the antiknock properties of isooctene in various gasoline bases are established. The values of the isooctene blend octane numbers calculated in the ranges of 108–150 by the research methods and 92–136 by the motor methods are calculated according to the obtained results, isooctene has high antiknock detonation efficiency at the MTBE level. Finally, the use of isooctene as gasoline additives gives good prospects to refining companies in light of decreasing the overhead, enhancing the grade of product, as well as decreasing large effects on the environment.